Cyprus, Ghana and Kenya join growing list of countries to create beneficial ownership registries The Panama Papers scandal helped create a “snowball effect” of international awareness on how anonymous corporate vehicles can enable tax evasion, corruption, and crime, advocates say. April 13, 2021 Nairobi, Kenya An infamous tax haven in the heart of Europe and two of Africa’s largest economies will force companies to declare their owners, joining a growing list of countries responding to public pressure over crime and tax avoidance enabled by anonymous corporate vehicles. Cyprus, Ghana and Kenya have finalized so-called “beneficial ownership registries” that require local companies to declare owners to national authorities. Law enforcement, transparency activists and tax inspectors have long recognized the value of such disclosures in deterring criminals and corrupt officials.