WHAT: The AU Economic, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM) Department, in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service, will convene the Fifth Session of the Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) under the theme: “Building the Africa We Want through Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms to Support Economic Growth and Domestic Resource Mobilization.”

WHERE: Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria

WHEN:   31 March – 2 April 2026      

TIME: 09:00 WAT

The meeting will focus on strengthening Africa’s tax systems, combating illicit financial flows (IFFs), enhancing domestic resource mobilization (DRM), and advancing Africa’s coordinated position in global tax negotiations. The activity will be organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with key continental stakeholders, including the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), and other Pan-African institutions.

Speakers

Keynote Address: H.E. Adebayo Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Welcome Remarks

• Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman Nigeria Revenue Service, Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Mr. Djamel Ghrib, Director for Economic Development, Integration, and Trade Department, African Union.

Opening Statements

• Ms. Chenai Mukumba - Executive Director, Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA)
• Ms Mary Baine - Executive Secretary, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)
• Dr. Timo Voipio – Senior Advisor, taxation and Domestic Resource Mobilization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland.
• H.E. Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) (TBC)
• Professor Kelvin Urama, PhD - Chief Economist/Vice President Economic, AfDB
• H.E. Ms. Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General of OSAA and United Nations Special Adviser on Africa
• H.E. Mrs. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, African Union Commission
• Representative from Eswatini - Chairperson of the Experts STC Bureau

BACKGROUND:

The Fifth Session builds on the recommendations of the 8th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration (STC-FMAEPI), as well as previous Sub-Committee outcomes. It is convened in direct response to the mandate of African Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors to elevate tax policy and fiscal reforms as strategic levers for financing Agenda 2063 and securing Africa’s economic future.

Against a backdrop of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA) and tightening global financial conditions, Africa must accelerate domestic resource mobilization (DRM) to reduce dependency, expand fiscal space, and assert greater economic sovereignty. Strengthening tax systems and tackling illicit financial flows are no longer technical priorities they are central to Africa’s ability to finance its own development and shape its economic destiny.

In this context, the session will:

• Take stock of progress in implementing previous commitments and identify gaps requiring urgent action
• Advance coordinated continental responses to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs), base erosion, and profit shifting
• Drive reforms in tax administration, digitalization, and legislative frameworks to improve efficiency and compliance
• Consolidate Africa’s unified position in global tax negotiations, particularly within ongoing United Nations processes on international tax cooperation
• Address emerging challenges, including the taxation of the digital economy and modernization of VAT systems
• Strengthen alignment between tax policy and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to support intra-African trade and industrialization

The session will also serve as a critical platform to strengthen Africa’s technical and political engagement in the negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its related protocols, ensuring that global tax rules reflect Africa’s realities, priorities, and development ambitions.

The session is expected to:

• Strengthen Member States’ capacity to implement effective domestic and international tax reforms
•  Advance coordinated African positions in global tax governance platforms
• Promote practical solutions to curb illicit financial flows
• Enhance collaboration between continental institutions and Member States
• Support domestic resource mobilization efforts aligned with Agenda 2063

Media coverage:

Members of the media are invited to cover the opening and closing sessions, high-level panels, and key technical discussions. Details regarding accreditation, press briefings, interview opportunities, and livestream arrangements will be communicated in due course.

For further information, please contact:

Faith Adhiambo |Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission |E-mail ochiengj@africanunion.org

Dare Adekanmbi , Media Relations,  Nigeria Revenue Service, Email Dare.Adekanmbi@nrs.gov.ng