ATRN 2025: Nigerian journalist highlights role of communication in Africa’s tax systems

The 2025 Annual Congress of the African Tax Research Network (ATRN) opened on Tuesday in Cape Town, South Africa, with a Nigerian journalist presenting a paper on the role of communication in building trust around taxation.

The three-day meeting, themed “Contemporary Taxation Issues in Africa: Shaping the Continent’s Fiscal Space – Past, Present, and Future,” brings together experts, policymakers and academics to discuss how African countries can reform their tax systems to strengthen fiscal sustainability.

Arabinrin Aderonke, an expert in print and broadcast journalism, presented a paper titled “Impact of Communication on Taxation in Africa.”

In her remarks, she argued that how governments engage with citizens is central to whether people willingly comply with tax obligations.

“Citizens need to know why they are paying taxes, where the money goes, and the projects their contributions support,” she said.

“Being present, answering questions, and engaging directly with taxpayers ensures they see themselves as partners in development.”

Her paper also examined Nigeria’s recent tax reforms, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s efforts to simplify compliance through digital platforms and expand outreach to small businesses.

While noting these examples, she stressed that such reforms will only succeed if they are accompanied by transparent communication and direct engagement with citizens.

Aderonke further highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, saying African tax authorities could share strategies and coordinate approaches to make taxation fairer and more efficient.

“Technology allows us to reach more people efficiently, from online tax education programmes to streamlined digital filings,” she added.

The ATRN congress runs until Thursday, with sessions scheduled on policy reforms, digital taxation, and strategies for expanding Africa’s fiscal space in the face of economic and social pressures.