Omidyar Network Supports Equitable Tax Systems with Grant to Tax Justice Network - Africa

JOHANNESBURG and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., (10 March 2015) – Omidyar Network today announced a two-year grant to Tax Justice Network - Africa totaling as much as USD $450,000.  The grant will support the Nairobi-based nonprofit’s work to promote equitable tax systems across Africa.

Tax Justice Network-Africa (TJN-A) is a pan-African initiative established in 2007 to promote socially just, democratic, and progressive taxation systems on the continent.  The organization’s activities are aimed at promoting public awareness of tax issues by networking among 29 member organizations across 16 African countries, coordinating civil society organizations’ tax-related efforts, and raising awareness of the importance of taxation as a tool for development and enhancing democratic governance. TJN-A is a member of the Global Alliance for Tax Justice.

“Tax Justice Network Africa has established itself as the preeminent African organization working on tax justice on the continent,” said Omidyar Network Director, Investments Ory Okolloh.  “Their research and policy work provides invaluable insights for both governments and citizens wrestling with how to create and sustain equitable tax systems, and their established, local voice draws respect from stakeholders not only in Africa, but globally.  We at Omidyar Network are proud to support their work.”

Omidyar Network’s grant comes through the philanthropic investment firm’s Governance & Citizen Engagement initiative, which works to build stronger and more open societies by increasing government responsiveness and citizen participation.  In service of those goals, support of TJN-A will foster improved transparency and governance of budgets and extractive revenues and other resources used for public services.