### Kasaï-Oriental: Towards a tax revolution?
On March 26, 2025, in Kasai-Oriental, a significant chapter of the administrative and economic management of this province opened up with the launch of a tax awareness campaign orchestrated by governor Jean-Paul Mbwebwa. This initiative is not only a call to pay its tax obligations, but also constitutes a potentially revolutionary turning point in the way in which the tax administration interacts with citizens and businesses.
#### Taxation: a local development tool
The importance of taxation for the development of public infrastructure cannot be underestimated. In Kasai-Oriental, the taxes collected, such as land tax or pollution tax, will be used to finance crucial projects for the community, including schools and roads. By carrying out a comparative study with other regions in Africa, it is obvious that when citizens include the direct link between the payment of taxes and the improvement of public services, the tax collection rate increases significantly. For example, in Kenya, a similar campaign had recorded a 30 % increase in tax declarations after a year of awareness.
The Kasai-Oriental awareness campaign is a direct response to the challenges faced with numerous development economies: an alarming tax evasion rate, often due to a lack of information and a feeling of distance from tax administrations. The governor, surrounded by emblematic figures such as the President of the Provincial Assembly and the Vice-Governor, stressed the importance of a tax administration which is close to the citizen. This discourse resonates with the principles of participative governance, an essential element to establish a climate of trust between the population and the State.
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The method chosen for this campaign, namely a motorized caravan, is a strategic and relevant choice. By lighting up through the arteries of the city, this initiative aims to generate collective awareness and encourage citizens to dialogue on tax issues. According to contemporary studies in social communication, “out-media” approaches as this can increase the impact of transmitted messages, allowing direct interaction with citizens.
In addition, it is crucial to analyze the scope of such initiatives through the prism of behavioral psychology. Research shows that the perception of civic duty and a personal contribution to collective prosperity can considerably influence tax behavior. Thus, by promoting the idea that “each tax paid is an investment for the future”, as pointed out by the Director General of the DGRKOR, a positive dynamic could be set up.
### The issues of tax mobilization
Another interesting angle to explore is that of the challenges that await the tax authorities in the effective implementation of this campaign. The reluctance to declare taxes can resurface if citizens do not see concrete results. On the one hand, this requires transparent monitoring of periods of collection and allocation of funds. On the other hand, the tax authority must be proactive in the evaluation of the impact of projects funded by tax revenue.
To strengthen this approach, the integration of modern technological tools, such as digital platforms to facilitate declarations and payments, could transform tax experience. Examples coming from other countries, such as South Africa with its DEAR Taxpayer Initiative, show that well -integrated technological solutions make it possible to increase not only tax revenue, but also to improve the experience of users, thus creating a conducive environment aimed at encouraging tax compliance.
#### Conclusion
The awareness campaign launched by Jean-Paul Mbwebwa represents a gold opportunity for Kasai-Oriental to redefine the relationship between citizens and tax administration. Through a combination of education, collective engagement and technological innovations, this province could be at the dawn of a real transformation in its way of conceiving taxation as a leviér of development. The results of this impatiently expected initiative will determine whether this model can be reproduced elsewhere on the continent. For Kasai-Oriental, the time has come to combine the tax duty with social progress, thus proposing the province to a serene and prosperous future.