Dodoma, Tanzania – October 08, 2024
Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Tanzania are trained on how Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) erode national budgets, as part of the Expose the Flow: Working Together to Curb IFFs in Sub-Saharan Africa project. Funded by NORAD through the Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), the training equips CSOs with the skills and knowledge needed to combat IFFs and advocate for stronger financial governance.
Participants are learning to identify the various forms of IFFs, including money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption, while examining key global trends and their local impact. The training also introduces participants to the basics of national budget analysis, providing them with the tools to assess how IFFs drain revenue, foster corruption, distort economic policies, and lead to underfunded public services. Real-world case studies are being used to demonstrate the tangible effects of IFFs on public finances and development, while breakout groups analyze budget scenarios affected by IFFs to understand the broader implications for Tanzania’s economic growth.
Upon completing the training, the CSOs are expected to apply their newly acquired skills by producing detailed analyses on the impact of IFFs on Tanzania’s national budget. These analyses will become essential tools for policy advocacy, enabling the CSOs to effectively engage with policymakers and push for reforms aimed at curbing IFFs. The training also provides participants with practical tools for monitoring IFFs, such as financial tracking and transparency initiatives, as well as guidance on developing compelling advocacy messages that emphasize the need for immediate action.
Through the Expose the Flow project, CSOs are being empowered to take an active role in fighting IFFs, safeguarding public resources, and promoting a more transparent and accountable fiscal environment in Tanzania and the wider sub-Saharan Africa region.