Illicit Financial Flows remain a critical challenge in Africa

LUKENYA, KENYA: Many African countries continue to experience severe illicit financial flows (IFFs) that over the years have crippled their economies due to losses of revenue through the multitude of loopholes that riddle the financial systems.

Sharing their country experiences at the just ended Tax Justice Network (TJN) organised International Tax Justice Academy training workshop held in Lukenya, Kenya, participants expressed concern over countries that hike particular tax creating opportunities for people to shuffle round their assets and income in order to evade paying tax by moving them offshore. It emerged that while tax leakages hit developing countries, Botswana included, they were orchestrated mostly by some private accountants, lawyers, banks and to some extent secrecy tax havens, in the tax planning purposes.

Presenting at the academy, Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ), regional coordinator, Caroline Othim said although tax evasion is illegal in many respects, its avoidance is however acceptable as a respectable way of doing international business. She was however quick to state that in almost all the African countries, there are tax havens that perpetuate high levels of confidentially , to hide income from tax and they continue to shelter criminal tax practices.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up