The Tobacco Tax Advocacy in Africa (TTAA) project, coordinated by Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), is set to expand its efforts to reduce tobacco consumption and generate revenue for African governments. To welcome the new partners, Corruption Watch from South Africa and Forum Civil and Centre de Recherche en Economie et Finance Appliquées (CRES) from Senegal, an inception meeting has been organized from the 2nd to 4th of May 2023 at the Novotel Hotel in Dakar, Senegal.

The meeting served as an opportunity to introduce the new partners to the project’s objectives and provide an overview of the current implementing partners’ activities. Furthermore, the meeting aimed to ensure all partners have a shared vision and understanding of the project’s design, strategies, and reporting requirements.

The TTAA project operates in six African countries: Kenya, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Zambia, South Africa, and Senegal. The inception meeting provided an overview of the state of tobacco control in these countries, shared success stories and lessons learned from the current implementing partners, and familiarize new partners with the project’s outcome measurement and reporting mechanisms, financial management and reporting requirements, and using TJNA’s knowledge hub.

The expected outcomes of the meeting include a clear understanding of the project’s objectives, strategies, and implementation activities among new partners, a shared understanding of the state of tobacco control in the project countries, and familiarization with the project’s outcome measurement and reporting mechanisms and financial management and reporting requirements.

The Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) awarded Mr. Labram Musah, the Executive Director of Programs of VALD Ghana for his commitment, excellence and dedication to achieving the objectives of the organization and their advocacy efforts that led to the passages of the Excise Tax Bill in Ghana. Another outstanding award went to VALD Ghana for their exemplary contribution to progressive tax reforms in Ghana.

Partners attending the meeting were also able to network and build relationships to facilitate collaboration and effective project implementation. Compliance with the project’s guidelines and requirements were emphasized to ensure all partners understand the importance of following the project’s guidelines.

For more information about the TTAA project, please contact Rodgers Kidiya at rkidiya(@)taxjusticeafrica.net.