The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has taken a decisive step in advancing Africa’s fight against illicit financial flows (IFFs) by actively participating in the Multi-Donor Action Initiative — a collaborative platform dedicated to tackling tax-related illicit flows through joint African-led strategies.
Held from 6–7 August 2025, the meeting brought together key African institutions engaged in combating IFFs, including the African Union, ATAF, Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), AFROSAI, AFROSAI-E, and AFROPAC. Organised by the European Union, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and BMZ, with support from GIZ, the gathering underscored the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to this complex challenge.
As one of the continent’s leading voices on tax matters, ATAF emphasised that addressing IFFs demands more than technical expertise — it requires aligning advocacy, governance structures, and policy implementation under a shared vision. The Multi-Donor Action Programme embodies this approach, fostering cooperation among African institutions to deliver sustainable solutions.
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to continue the programme under a multi-partner framework led by the African Union and coordinated by ATAF. This leadership role positions ATAF at the heart of efforts to harmonise strategies, drive policy action, and ensure African priorities guide the global IFFs agenda.
To build on this momentum, ATAF will host the first virtual stakeholder meeting on 8 September 2025, followed by an in-person meeting alongside the TJNA African Conference from 7–10 October 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
By coordinating this work, ATAF is ensuring that African expertise shapes the fight against IFFs — turning collaboration into concrete action that strengthens tax systems, protects domestic resources, and supports the continent’s sustainable development goals.
