Shaping Africa’s Tax Narrative; A Reflection On The ATAF-ATMEN Media Gathering In Burkina Faso

By Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh

INTRODUCTION

In a world where tax policies shape economies and revenue mobilization fuels national development, the role of the media in shaping public understanding of taxation has never been more crucial. Yet, for too long, “tax journalism” in Africa has remained an underexplored frontier—overshadowed by politics, sports, and general business reporting. The African Tax Media Network (ATMEN) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) are changing this narrative. Their groundbreaking collaboration, brought to life in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in February 2025, signaled a transformative shift—one that empowers African journalists to take control of their tax discourse, bridge the information gap between governments and citizens, and drive conversations that enhance domestic revenue mobilization. In this article, Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh, Chair of ATMEN, reflects on the Ouagadougou gathering and how discussions there can fuel the continental tax conversation.

A MILESTONE FOR ATMEN IN 2025

Bringing together at least 40 journalists, tax communicators, and tax experts from 25 countries in Ouagadougou marked a significant milestone for ATMEN in 2025. Sponsored by ATAF and hosted by the Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI) of Burkina Faso, the event gathered tax administration communicators from 15 different member countries and 26 members of ATMEN representing 20 countries. The objective: is to deliberate on strategies to enhance tax communication across the continent.

The gathering at Sopatel Silmande Hôtel on February 11-12 was more than just another conference; it was a defining moment in championing tax journalism in Africa—a crucial step toward empowering the continent to generate its resources and drive sustainable development. While ATMEN has long been active, hosting online meetings and discussions, never before had it, in partnership with ATAF, convened such an influential assembly as was in Burkina Faso. This milestone underscores the steady growth of an idea (ATMEN) that has been nurtured and is now making a tangible impact.

TAX JOURNALISM – A CONCEPT IN THE MAKING

While “tax journalism” (I will define it as “journalism focusing on taxation and revenue mobilization”) might seem like a new and unfamiliar field, reporting on taxation and revenue has long been a fundamental aspect of economic and business journalism. Taxes shape economies, influence policy decisions and impact the daily lives of citizens, yet they are often overlooked or misunderstood in mainstream media. Just as a sports journalist hones their expertise in soccer, cricket, or athletics to provide in-depth coverage, journalists covering taxation must develop a deep understanding of tax systems, financial regulations, and illicit financial flows. Without specialized knowledge, critical tax issues risk being misreported, leading to misinformation, reduced public trust, and weakened compliance with tax laws.

This need for expertise in tax reporting drives ATMEN, which, in partnership with ATAF, is dedicated to equipping African journalists with the skills to master and communicate the African tax narrative effectively. Thus, the formation of ATMEN  to bridge the knowledge gap between tax administrations and the media, thereby fostering accurate, insightful, and impactful tax reporting. ATMEN was, therefore, not created just to inform but to empower journalists to critically engage with tax policies, expose financial loopholes, and contribute to shaping transparent and fair tax systems across the continent. Through training, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing—as demonstrated in Burkina Faso—tax journalism is evolving into a specialized and influential field that plays a key role in Africa’s economic development.

STRENGTHENING THE MEDIA’S ROLE IN DRM

The two-day engagement in Burkina Faso, which brought together participants from at least 25 African countries, reinforced the media’s crucial role in boosting domestic resource mobilization (DRM) on the continent. As Africa strives for financial independence, tax transparency, and sustainable development, the media’s responsibility extends beyond mere reporting. It involves actively shaping public understanding, holding authorities accountable, and driving conversations that promote tax compliance. ATMEN has been working to bridge the gap between tax administrations and journalists, fostering a culture of transparency and strengthening tax reporting across the continent. ATMEN was born out of two ATAF-sponsored media engagements in South Africa and Rwanda in 2018 and 2019, where it became clear that African journalists could no longer afford to be passive observers of the tax narrative dictated by external explainers. Instead, they needed to take an active role in shaping Africa’s tax discourse, influencing policy discussions, and ensuring that tax matters are understood and appreciated by the public in languages they understand best: from Afrikaans to Zulu.

REINFORCING THE COMMITMENT TO TAX COMMUNICATION

In Burkina Faso, this commitment was reaffirmed. The event focused on amplifying journalism’s role in taxation, forging stronger ties between tax authorities and the media, and ensuring that African voices narrate Africa’s tax story from an African perspective. Over two days, participants engaged in insightful discussions, exchanged ideas, and built networks that will shape the future of tax communication on the continent. Participants heard from ATAF experts on pressing tax issues, including global tax trends, UN tax conventions, and the impact of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) on Africa’s economy.

Delivering the opening statement, Mr. Mamadou Sere, representative of the Burkina Faso Minister of Finance, highlighted that illicit financial flows are one of the major challenges facing African tax administrations, with the continent losing billions annually. These illicit flows, fueled by money laundering and tax evasion, promote corruption and deprive states of crucial resources for public policies in health, education, infrastructure, and economic development. Sere emphasized that states could not easily win the war against IFFs without strong media collaboration. The engagement provided a platform to “strengthen collaboration between tax administrations and the media to build an effective communication framework based on trust and information exchange.” These insights deepened participants’ understanding and strengthened their resolve to contribute to informed and responsible tax reporting.

THE MEDIA’S ROLE IN TAX PERCEPTION AND COMPLIANCE

ATAF’s unwavering commitment to tax communication was evident. “The media plays a critical role in shaping public perception, influencing policy discussions, and promoting informed civic engagement,” stated Eugene Southgate, ATAF’s Head of Corporate Services, representing the Executive Secretary. “In taxation, this role is even more vital. Misunderstood or misrepresented tax policies can

lead to public misconceptions, reduced compliance, and revenue losses that directly impact a country’s ability to grow its economy and serve its people.”

Sere reinforced Southgate’s point, emphasizing that media and communication professionals play a key role. “By informing the public, raising awareness of tax obligations, and exposing fraudulent practices, you contribute to the formation of a conscious and committed public opinion. The media are essential partners in promoting tax transparency and encouraging positive change in our societies.” Southgate added that evidence from ATAF member countries shows that effective tax communication fosters trust, accountability, and voluntary compliance—key ingredients for sustainable domestic revenue mobilization. This highlights the importance of accurate, clear, and engaging tax communication and how the media can impact public action and compliance.

WHAT DID THE JOURNALISTS SUGGEST?

As part of the way forward, journalists at the conference recommended specialized training on tax concepts, financial regulations, and illicit financial flows. They called for a network of tax experts, economists, and policymakers to support accurate reporting, along with regular briefings and interactive Q&A sessions between the media and tax authorities. A comprehensive resource database, simplified guides on taxation, and open access to tax-related data were also proposed to enhance transparency and reporting accuracy. Additionally, they advocated for safeguards to protect journalists from undue influence and recommended fellowships and grant programs to support investigative journalism in taxation.

THE VOICES OF TAX ADMINISTRATION COMMUNICATION

Like the journalists, Tax administration communicators also recommended strengthening internal coordination by establishing a technical committee, integrating communicators into key ATAF committees, and enhancing collaboration with journalists. They emphasized capacity-building through training in communication methodologies, audiovisual content production, and language skills. Increased financial support, study grants, and the development of practical communication tools were also highlighted. Furthermore, they encouraged partnerships with organizations like the Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), improved coordination through shared event calendars, and the expansion of French-language materials to reach a broader audience.

CONCLUSION

The Burkina Faso gathering was historic. The ATAF-ATMEN collaboration is more than just a partnership; it is a revolution in African tax journalism. The initiative to equip journalists with the expertise to decode complex tax issues and tell Africa’s tax story from an African perspective could reshape the continent’s media landscape on tax matters. The writing on the horizon suggests that no longer will taxation be an abstract, inaccessible subject; instead, it will be a tool for accountability, transparency, and economic empowerment. As journalists take their place at the heart of Africa’s tax conversation, they are not only informing the public but also influencing policies, strengthening compliance, exposing tax evasion and corruption, and paving the way for a self-sufficient Africa—one where tax justice and financial independence are realities. Indeed, this is possible. Yes, it is!

—-Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh is Chair of the African Tax Media Network, a continental body of journalists founded through ATAF media engagements in 2019 to shape Africa’s tax narrative. He is the Manager of Communication, Media, and Public Affairs at the Liberia Revenue Authority, a Journalism Lecturer at the University of Liberia, and an award-winning and seasoned media professional with over two decades of experience. He holds a Diploma in Journalism, a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication, and a Master’s in Media and Communication Studies from Lund University, Sweden.