Angola’s Catholic Church will survey taxpayers nationwide to gather evidence on tax fairness and strengthen advocacy for fiscal justice reforms.
Newsroom (28/07/2026 Gaudium Press )The Catholic Church in Angola is preparing to undertake a nationwide survey aimed at understanding how citizens perceive the country’s tax system, marking a significant step in its efforts to advocate for fiscal justice through evidence-based engagement with policymakers.
The initiative is being led by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST). Through the study, the Church seeks to evaluate whether Angolans consider the national tax system fair and examine how taxation affects their daily lives.
Speaking to ACI Africa on July 25 following the first training session for diocesan monitors in Luanda, Dr. António Filipe Augusto, National Coordinator for Human Rights and Citizenship at the CEAST CCJP Commission, said the project is intended to provide credible and scientifically grounded data that can support meaningful policy discussions.
“We want to produce scientifically grounded information that will enable stronger and more responsible advocacy on behalf of citizens,” Augusto said.
According to Augusto, the Church’s objective is not to enter public debate armed solely with opinion or anecdotal evidence. Instead, it intends to build a detailed assessment of Angola’s tax framework based on recognized research methods and data collected from communities across the country.
“The Church does not intend to present merely an opinion about taxation in Angola. We want to build an analysis based on scientific methodology. One cannot undertake serious work based simply on common sense,” he said.
To support the initiative, the Commission is training pastoral agents who will be responsible for gathering information from citizens in various dioceses. The research will explore taxpayers’ experiences, concerns, and expectations regarding taxation, while also examining the diverse profiles of taxpayers and the range of taxes currently levied in Angola.
Augusto noted that concerns about taxation are frequently raised by citizens, particularly regarding the overall tax burden, the number of taxes they are required to pay, and perceptions about how public revenue is utilized. However, he emphasized that such concerns must be substantiated through rigorous research before they can effectively contribute to public policymaking.
“Only a scientific study will allow us to understand the reality in depth and present well-founded proposals to the relevant authorities,” he said.
The survey is expected to provide the Church with a stronger foundation for engaging government institutions responsible for legislation and public policy. By collecting information directly from taxpayers, the Commission hopes to develop practical recommendations aimed at promoting a more equitable and transparent tax system.
The project has also been shaped by international discussions on tax justice. Augusto said his participation in the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2025, broadened his perspective on the role of taxation in society.
Representing CEAST at the meeting, he said the discussions highlighted that taxation should be viewed not only as a mechanism for generating government revenue, but also as an instrument of fairness, inclusion, and social development.
“The discussion is not only about how governments collect taxes. It is also about whether tax collection is fair and whether the resources generated improve the lives of citizens,” Augusto said.
He added that the Nairobi gathering brought together governments, civil society organizations, and faith-based institutions, reinforcing the potential role of religious organizations in promoting tax justice through research, education, and advocacy.
“One important conclusion from that process is that the Church must make better use of its capacity for social engagement. The Church already has influence and credibility within communities, but this must be translated into more active participation in promoting social justice,” he said.
Participants in the initial training session welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to deepen understanding of the relationship between taxation, citizenship, and social justice.
Tóni Catumbela, Coordinator for Electoral Affairs at the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Luanda, said the training improved participants’ understanding of different taxes in Angola while underscoring the need for stronger communication between public institutions and citizens.
“Many people pay taxes directly or indirectly but still know very little about why they pay them or how those resources should benefit society,” Catumbela said, calling for more accessible public information on taxation.
Pedro Bumba, Vice Coordinator of Justice and Peace at St. Anthony of Kifangondo Parish in the Diocese of Caxito, said the formation helped connect everyday financial realities with broader questions of fiscal justice.
“Tax justice directly affects people’s lives because taxes influence both family finances and the delivery of public services,” he said.
Bumba expressed hope that the survey would identify citizens’ concerns while promoting greater public awareness of how taxation affects communities.
For Manuel Marcos, head of the Human Rights Department of the Justice and Peace Commission in the Diocese of Viana, the training represented an important preparatory stage for gathering reliable community-level information. He said the planned survey could offer valuable insights into public perceptions of Angola’s tax system and help identify areas where reform may be needed.
Esmeraldina Calando, Vice Diocesan Secretary of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission in the Diocese of Viana, also emphasized the value of the training. She said it provided participants with a solid understanding of taxation concepts while clarifying the broader objectives of the project.
Calando expressed optimism that the national survey would generate a clearer picture of citizens’ views on taxation and strengthen the Church’s contribution to discussions on fiscal justice. She also highlighted the potential for the initiative to foster closer engagement between public institutions and the communities they serve.
The first phase of the project is being implemented in the Archdiocese of Luanda and the Dioceses of Caxito and Viana. According to Augusto, this pilot phase will allow the Commission to evaluate and refine its methodology before expanding the survey to dioceses across the country.
More than 60 participants attended the initial training session, slightly below the target of 80. Augusto attributed the lower turnout to logistical challenges, including a pilgrimage taking place in Caxito. Despite this, he described participation and engagement levels as encouraging, signaling strong interest in a project that seeks to place scientific evidence at the center of conversations about taxation, accountability, and social justice in Angola.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACi Africa
