By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
Journalists in Africa stand at a pivotal crossroads in the continent’s fight for economic justice, and the newly launched “African Tax Justice Journalists Fellowship” by Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) could not be more timely or critical. This initiative addresses a glaring gap: the need for skilled, knowledgeable journalists who can lead conversations on tax justice and illicit financial flows (IFFs), issues that deeply affect Africa’s development and governance.
Why African journalists need the training:
Tax justice is not just an economic issue; it is a social justice imperative. African countries lose billions annually to illicit financial flows, tax evasion, and unfair international tax systems that favour wealthy corporations and individuals at the expense of ordinary citizens. These losses undermine governments’ abilities to fund essential public services like health, education, and infrastructure. Yet, tax justice remains a complex, technical subject often misunderstood or underreported in African media.
Journalists are uniquely positioned to change this narrative. They are the bridge between complex policy issues and public understanding, shaping perceptions, holding governments and corporations accountable, and driving policy reforms. However, many African journalists face challenges such as limited access to reliable data, lack of investigative skills, and insufficient knowledge of tax systems and international financial architecture.
It was for these reasons that from March 4 to April 102025, over 25 African journalists gained skills to promote equitable global tax rules during the 2025 Tax Justice and illicit financial flows (IFFs) journalists virtual training.
The in-depth training brought together African business and investigative journalists, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and networks necessary to effectively report on tax justice and IFFs, critical yet often overlooked issues in Africa.
The training took place within the context of mounting financial pressure from climate shocks and deepening debt to widespread revenue loss due to profit shifting and illicit financial flows. As Africa’s economies strive for sustainable development, the role of journalism in shaping public opinion, driving policy discourse, and holding institutions and governments accountable has never been more important.
Across 12 sessions, journalists gained not only theoretical knowledge but also practical tools and skills they could immediately apply in their reporting. Participants unpacked various topics essential for strengthening their reporting on tax justice and IFFs.
Tax justice journalism is emerging as a specialized field that can influence public discourse and policy. By uncovering stories on illicit financial flows, tax abuses, and corrupt practices, journalists can expose systemic inequalities and demand reforms that promote equitable taxation. This is especially important as African economies grapple with climate shocks, mounting debt, and revenue losses that threaten sustainable development.
The fellowship’s training programme offered African journalists a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of tax justice, learn to navigate complex data, and build networks with experts and peers across the continent. Such capacity-building enables them to produce investigative reports that are not only accurate but also resonate with citizens and policymakers.
As TJNA’s Capacity Building Coordinator Geoffrey Sirima noted, the training “deepened their understanding of tax justice and illicit financial flows, which are essential to building a fairer global economic system” and positioned them “to raise public awareness, demand accountability, and drive change.”
Impact on African countries and continent:
The benefits of this initiative extend far beyond the journalists themselves. Africa faces a severe problem of tax injustice, with billions lost annually due to illicit financial flows, tax evasion, and the use of offshore tax havens by multinational corporations and wealthy individuals. These practices drain resources that could otherwise fund critical public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, undermining the continent’s development and deepening inequality. Tax havens, often located outside Africa, facilitate the concealment and movement of illicit wealth, perpetuating economic disparities and weakening governance
By training 20 journalists from diverse regions—West, North, Central, Southern, and Eastern Africa—the project aimed to create a ripple effect across media houses and communities. These journalists will undertake region-based investigative assignments, produce stories that highlight tax-related challenges, and form a peer learning network to sustain their work. This network will foster collaboration, mentorship, and continuous knowledge sharing, amplifying Africa’s voice in global tax debates.
For African countries, enhanced media coverage of tax justice issues means greater transparency and accountability in public finance. It helps citizens understand how tax policies affect their lives and pressures governments to adopt pro-poor, equitable tax systems. Moreover, exposing illicit financial flows and tax evasion can curb public resource leakages, boosting domestic resource mobilisation critical for funding development priorities.
The project’s online training model ensures accessibility and inclusivity, reaching journalists from both English and French-speaking countries and balancing gender and experience levels. This broad representation enriches the tax justice conversation with diverse perspectives and strengthens the continent-wide impact.
Empowering journalists as champions of tax justice
At the heart of this initiative are the journalists themselves—dedicated professionals eager to tackle one of Africa’s most pressing yet underreported issues. For instance, Sillah Nyima from Gambia’s Voice Newspaper described the training as “incredibly impactful,” providing her with insights into investigating tax abuse and financial malpractice that she plans to use to hold institutions accountable in her country.
Nyima stressed that resources like financial statements and databases stood out as essential for guiding meaningful investigations. She further added that she will apply this knowledge to expose injustices and hold institutions accountable in her country. She called on her fellow journalists to take responsibility for reporting on these critical issues.
Theo Burrows, a tax practitioner who participated in the Fellowship, shared his insights on the eye-opening experience.
“I am not a journalist but a tax practitioner, and my main platforms are LinkedIn and professional social media groups where I engage with peers. The work of TJNA, especially Johan Van Loggenberg’s persistent efforts to expose the tobacco industry’s issues, inspired my interest in Illicit Financial Flows (IFF),” Burrows said.
He described the fellowship as a revelation that highlighted his prior lack of knowledge about IFF. “The topic is overwhelming, and coming from a non-journalistic background makes it even more daunting. However, I decided to take small steps forward,” he explained.
Burrows has since published an article on his LinkedIn newsletter focusing on the South African informal sector, linking it to IFF challenges. “I started from what I know and aimed to draw attention among tax practitioners to how IFFs are pervasive and relevant to our daily work,” he noted.
He emphasised his ongoing learning journey and the challenge of integrating IFF issues with the network of independent tax practitioners. “It’s a journey into the unknown for me, and I am cautiously moving forward,” Burrows concluded.
Faruk Shuaibu of Daily Trust, reflecting on his experience during the training, said: “The programme opened my eyes to how Africa can better harness its mineral wealth and large population through effective taxation policies. It also sharpened my vigilance in scrutinizing government contracts to uncover potential backdoor deals, which I can expose through the media. Additionally, the training revealed the dangers of tax havens and their threat to African economies if not addressed through global cooperation.”
These journalists are more than reporters; they are champions of social justice. Their stories can illuminate the human cost of tax injustice—how lost revenues translate into underfunded hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, affecting millions of lives. By telling these stories, they give voice to the voiceless and empower citizens to demand fairer systems.
In his closing remarks, TJNA’s Capacity Building Coordinator, Sirima, lauded the journalists, highlighting that the training had significantly enhanced their capacity to contribute to advocacy efforts for fair and inclusive global tax policies. He emphasised the importance of the training in enhancing their grasp of tax justice and illicit financial flows key issues in achieving a more equitable global economy.
“It has been a privilege to witness over 25 African journalists sharpen their skills in promoting equitable global tax rules. This training has deepened their understanding of tax justice and illicit financial flows, which are essential to building a fairer global economic system. They are now better positioned to raise public awareness, demand accountability, and drive change toward a more just and inclusive world,” Mr. Sirima stated.
In his remarks, TJNA’s Policy Officer, Francis Kairu lauded the journalists for their demonstrated commitment and their potential in advancing the tax justice work.
“We are truly delighted to have had such a dedicated group of journalists join this training. You were not just selected because of your interest in tax justice, but also for your demonstrated commitment and the potential we see in you to advance this work. For six weeks, your consistency, engagement, and contributions have been invaluable. We now consider you part of the tax justice movement not just representing your countries, but the wider cause,” Mr. Kairu added.
Recognising the data-related challenges many African journalists face, the training included hands-on guidance on how to access and interpret reliable data. Participants were trained to identify credible sources, analyze public financial data, and make sense of complex economic indicators.
One of the most impactful outcomes of the training was the creation of a pan-African network of tax justice journalists. During the final session, participants discussed forming an informal network that would allow for collaboration on cross-border investigations, mentorship, and ongoing peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. This network aims to amplify Africa’s voice in global tax debates by producing stories that reflect the continent’s realities and priorities, especially as countries advocate for a UN Tax Convention and fairer representation in global tax governance.
As the world continues to grapple with inequality and financial secrecy, TJNA’s journalist training is lighting a path forward. The newly empowered tax justice champions are ready to lead meaningful change by advocating for fairer international tax rules, tackling harmful financial practices, and promoting economic growth across their regions.
Conclusion:
By equipping journalists with specialised skills and fostering a collaborative network, TJNA is enabling a new generation of media professionals to lead the fight against illicit financial flows and tax injustice. This is crucial for building equitable tax systems that can fund Africa’s development and reduce inequality.
As African journalists sharpen their investigative tools and deepen their understanding, they become vital actors in shaping a more just and prosperous continent. Their work will not only inform but also inspire change, holding powerful interests accountable and advocating policies that benefit all Africans. In this way, the fellowship is more than a training programme—it is a beacon of hope for tax justice and sustainable development in Africa.