The Technical Assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service on Broadcast Media, Aderonke Atoyebi, has urged African leaders to be transparent about the spending of tax revenue.

According to a statement on Wednesday, Atoyebi made this call at the 2025 Annual Congress of the African Tax Research Network in Cape Town, South Africa, while speaking on the topic ‘Impact of Communication on Taxation in Africa’.

The three-day event, held under the theme ‘Contemporary Taxation Issues in Africa: Shaping the Continent’s Fiscal Space – Past, Present, and Future’, brought together experts, policymakers and academics to discuss how African countries can reform their tax systems to strengthen fiscal sustainability.

She said, “Citizens need to know why they are paying taxes, where the money goes, and the projects their contributions support. Being present, answering questions, and engaging directly with taxpayers ensures they see themselves as partners in development.”

Atoyebi, who is an expert in print and broadcast journalism, argued that how governments engage with citizens is central to whether people willingly comply with tax obligations.

She 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.

She stressed that such reforms would only succeed if they are accompanied by transparent communication and direct engagement with citizens. Atoyebi 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 Annual Congress is the ATRN’s flagship activity, which gives researchers a platform to present their research to an audience of decision-makers in ministries of finance, tax administrations and civil society organisations, as well as to academic researchers and tax practitioners.