The Scams Which Drain West Africa's Resources
The international coalition of journalists which pioneered reporting on the "Panama Papers" has teamed up with West Africa's Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism (Cenozo)* to expose the tax avoidance, financial crime and corruption which siphon money out of the region, hindering development.
In what the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) calls West Africa's largest-ever journalism collaboration, reporters from 11 countries have revealed the financial secrets of some of the region's most powerful politicians, moguls and corporations.
Will Fitzgibbon, the ICIJ's Africa partnership coordinator, says the consortium chose to focus on West Africa because "its 367 million people are some of the most disadvantaged in the world, and its position as the tax-avoidance center of Africa means those people are being hit harder still."
Experts say gross domestic product per capita would be 15 percent higher across Africa if money had not been siphoned from the continent, the ICIJ adds.
* Cenozo is named for the celebrated reporter from Burkina Faso, Norbert Zongo, who was killed in unresolved circumstances.
-
West Africa:
How the Elite Take Billions Offshore
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 1 June 2018
From Cape Verde's white-sand beaches to Niger's vast deserts, West African countries are plundered by companies and individuals, while governments do little to stem the flow. Read more »
-
West Africa:
Wanted - Honorary Consuls For 'Cash-Strapped' African Nations
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 1 June 2018
Honorary consuls occupy a little-known niche in the global elite. Many work to rigorous standards, but for others their avowed love for their adopted country is not always… Read more »
-
Senegal:
One Company's Tax 'Heaven' Is Senegal's Tax 'Hell'
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 1 June 2018
A lopsided tax treaty between Mauritius and Senegal means, with the right paper work, companies working in Senegal can avoid paying millions in taxes. Read more »
-
West Africa:
Why We Decided To Dig Into West Africa's Offshore Links
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 1 June 2018
West Africa was high on our need-to-do list when the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists launched the Panama Papers in April 2016. Read more »
-
West Africa:
'We Are the Enemies of Our Leaders' - West Africa Leaks Journalists
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 1 June 2018
The 13 journalists who worked on the West Africa Leaks face everything from threats, law suits and intimidation. Read more »
West Africa Leaks - revealing the secret scams of the rich and powerful.
-
West Africa:
#WestAfricaLeaks: Dantata's MRS, Chevron Billion Dollar Deal Raises Tax Avoidance Concern
Premium Times, 22 May 2018
MRS holdings Ltd, oil marketing company of Nigerian billionaire, Sayyu Dantata, and international oil giant, Chevron, are at the centre of a N360 billion [$1 billion] secretive oil… Read more »
-
Angola:
Mauritius Freezes Bank Accounts of Dos Santos Jnr's Friend
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 3 May 2018
Mauritian authorities have frozen 91 bank accounts linked to investor Jean-Claude Bastos, a key figure from the Paradise Papers with close connections to Angola's former leaders. Read more »
-
Africa:
Paradise Papers Reveal Huge Glencore Loan in Securing DR Congo Mining Rights
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, 6 November 2017
Law firm’s internal files reveal oil, mineral and grain trader Glencore signed secret deals and loaned millions to a high-risk business partner. Read more »
InFocus
-
The Paradise Papers investigation reveals offshore interests and activities of more than 120 politicians and world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, 13 advisers, ma Read more »