Ladies and gentlemen, dear members of the Executive Council of TJNA,

It is with great pleasure that we gather today in Cape Town for the first in-person session of the new Executive Council 2025-2027 of Tax Justice Network-Africa (TJNA). This meeting marks a significant moment in our collective journey as we come together to strengthen our commitment to fiscal justice and the fight against illicit financial flows across our continent.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear members of the Executive Council of TJNA,

It is with great pleasure that we gather today in Cape Town for the first in-person session of the new Executive Council 2025-2027 of Tax Justice Network-Africa (TJNA). This meeting marks a significant moment in our collective journey as we come together to strengthen our commitment to fiscal justice and the fight against illicit financial flows across our continent.

From an organizational and operational standpoint, I would like to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to the outgoing Council for the remarkable efforts they have made during their term. Their dedication and leadership have increased the visibility and impact of our network. Thanks to their hard work, with the support of the Secretariat team, we have been able to establish solid partnerships, strengthen our advocacy, and mobilize crucial resources to promote tax justice in Africa. Their achievements will serve as a solid foundation upon which we will build our future.

For the continuity and sustainability of the network, a proper strategic handover between the incoming and outgoing offices is essential to adequately support the Secretariat. Furthermore, strengthening the ties, communication, and collective work among current members of the network is fundamental for greater learning, solidarity, and collective ownership of the struggles that our network undertakes.

As we embark on this new chapter, it is essential to recognize the importance of an inclusion strategy that encompasses all sub-regions of our continent. The diversity of our experiences and perspectives is our greatest asset. As a pan-African network, our goal is to ensure that all voices are heard and that all regions, whether in East, North, West, South, or Central Africa, are fully represented in our discussions and actions. This is how we can truly translate the pan-African character of our mission.

Our commitment to inclusion is particularly relevant in the current context, where economic and social challenges are exacerbated by growing inequalities. Tax justice is not just a matter of fair resource distribution; it is essential to guarantee funding for sustainable development goals in Africa. By acting together, we can combat the injustices that hinder our collective progress and work to reduce the social inequalities that affect so many of our citizens.

During our first online session held last December, we had the opportunity to exchange ideas and familiarize ourselves with the Secretariat team, to review the network's Constitution, and to understand its organization and the responsibilities of the Executive Council. These moments allowed us to explore our functioning in Sub-Committees: Executive, Finance and Audit, and Partnerships and Programs.

I am excited to see how the outcomes of this first online session will translate into concrete actions. Action points were formulated, and we will have the opportunity later in the program to learn about the subsequent developments. The discussions we will have are sure to shed light on crucial topics such as the need for increased coordination at the sub-regional Caucus level, strengthening our capacity to monitor illicit financial flows, and the importance of raising public awareness about tax justice.

We will identify strategic priorities and agree to expand our network of partners related to interconnected themes (Debt, Climate Change, Energy Transition, Gender, etc.), as we know that the fight for tax justice cannot be fought alone. Together, we must mobilize all stakeholders, including governments and elected officials, civil society, the media, the private sector, and citizens, to advocate for the necessary reforms.

Today, as we gather here in Cape Town, alongside the Alternative Mining Indaba, I encourage you to share your ideas, experiences, and reflections. Every contribution is valuable and can make a difference. We have before us an opportunity to shape the future of our network and accelerate our action in favour of tax justice on our continent, in accordance with our statutes.

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our commitment to a more just and equitable Africa. Together, with determination and solidarity, we can tackle the challenges ahead of us, build transparent and accountable fiscal systems, and ensure that the resources of our continent benefit everyone.

Thank you for your attention, and I declare this first in-person session of the Executive Council 2025-2027 of Tax Justice Network-Africa officially open. Together, let us commit to making this period a time of transformation and progress for fiscal justice in Africa.