The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), in collaboration with Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), convened a senior-level virtual launch and orientation session on 7 May 2026 as part of preparations for the Anti-Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) Policy Tracker Assessment in Zambia.
The session sets the stage for the in-country assessment scheduled for 18–19 May 2026 in Lusaka, where ZRA will serve as the host and coordinating institution. It brought together senior representatives and technical officials from key national institutions, including the Financial Intelligence Centre, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Bank of Zambia, Anti-Corruption Commission, civil society, and other agencies involved in combating illicit financial flows.
In his opening remarks, ZRA Commissioner General Mr. Dingani Banda emphasised that the launch reflects deliberate and coordinated preparation, and acknowledged TJNA, the African Union Commission, and ATAF for their partnership and technical leadership in developing this African-grown solution.
The Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker is an African-led diagnostic and monitoring tool designed to assess the effectiveness of national systems in addressing tax-related illicit financial flows and strengthening institutional responses.
Dr. Patrick Ndzana Olomo, Head of Economic Policy and Sustainable Development at the African Union Commission, highlighted that the recent fifth Session of the AU Sub-Committee on Tax and IFFs reaffirmed the need to accelerate the rollout of the Policy Tracker beyond the pilot phase. He noted that Zambia’s assessment is timely and aligned with continental priorities and noted that the African Member States’ calls for stronger inter-agency coordination, improved data systems, clearer institutional mandates, and sustained technical support. Further, he urged institutions that were present to engage actively ahead of the assessment, stressing that its success will depend on strong national ownership and the availability of verifiable evidence.
Zambia joins Namibia, Uganda, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia in implementing the Anti- IFFs Policy Tracker, signalling growing continental momentum.
TJNA’s Executive Director, Ms. Chenai Mukumba stressed the urgency of tackling illicit financial flows, noting that they continue to drain critical resources needed for public services, infrastructure, industrialisation, and social development. She noted that in the context of rising debt vulnerabilities, constrained fiscal space, and global economic uncertainty, strengthening domestic resource mobilisation is more critical than ever.
Echoing these sentiments, ATAF’s Head of African Multilateral Cooperation, Mr. Thulani Shongwe, highlighted the strong and growing partnership between ATAF and ZRA. He pointed to sustained collaboration over the past five years, including support to reform Zambia’s transfer pricing framework, capacity building in advanced audit techniques, particularly in the mining sector—and progress in landmark transfer pricing cases such as Nestlé and Mopani Mining, demonstrating the value of strong institutions and technical expertise in delivering tangible results.
The session provided strategic direction, affirmed institutional ownership, and aligned stakeholders on the technical approach, evidence requirements, and institutional roles ahead of the assessment.
Zambia’s progress reflects growing continental momentum to strengthen transparency, accountability, and coordinated responses to illicit financial flows, while advancing evidence-based policy reform and sustainable development outcomes.
TJNA continues to play a key role in advancing this work by supporting African countries with evidence, policy advocacy, and technical collaboration to strengthen systems that combat illicit financial flows and promote fair, transparent, and accountable tax systems across the continent.
For more information, please contact Aya Douabou via adouabou[@]taxjusticeafrica.net
