Launch of the Peer-Learning Platform on EITI

The objective of the Regional Peer-Learning Platform is to contribute to building sufficient understanding of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) among stakeholders whose number is growing as more countries are adopting the 5th tool of the ICGLR Regional Initiative on Natural Resources.

The Regional Centre launched the Peer-learning Platform on the EITI during an Event and Workshop organised in Lusaka, Zambia, from 27th to 29th April 2015 with ICGLR-GIZ support[1]. Fifty five participants representing ICGLR Member States Governments, Civil Society Organisations, Chambers of Mines as well as Conference Secretariat and partners representatives attended the three day Workshop and received a Certificate of participation during the closing ceremony. This event facilitated sharing and dissemination of lessons learned as well as information and documentation among stakeholders of EITI from the whole Region.

The first day of the Workshop begun with a High Level Panel Discussion on “Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Industries: A factor for Peace and Economic Development in the Great Lakes Region”. Selected discussants introduced debate by short presentation on the following:

  • Introduction on the concepts of Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Industries and their linkages with peace and economic development in the Great Lakes Region;
  • Possibilities for a regional organisation such as ICGLR to promote Transparency and Accountability in Extractive Industries;
  • Reasons for Zambia to adhere to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI);
  • How does the EITI process in Zambia contribute to promoting Transparency, Accountability and Economic Development from the perspective of the Zambian Government;
  • Specific recommendations of Zambia to other ICGLR Member States to strengthen Transparency and Accountability of Extractive Industries;
  • Main achievements of the EITI process according a Civil Society perspective;
  • Main challenges of implementing EITI in a post conflict environment;
  • Does the Private Sector consider Transparency and Accountability in Extractive Industries as relevant approach for improving business environment and economic development?
  • Two main challenges for implementing EITI from a private sector perspective.

The next two days of the Workshop focused on Peer-Learning on the following 6 topics:

  • Contribution of EITI in strengthening transparency and accountability on natural resources governance;
  • Setting up of National Legal Frameworks enabling EITI implementation;
  • Modes of collaboration among members of Multi-Stakeholder Groups (MSG);
  • Development of technical skills for analysing EITI Reports and figures;
  • Integrating Artisanal Small Mining (ASM) into EITI;
  • Adoption of EITI and management of “confidentiality clauses” included in the contracts with mining companies.

The Workshop concluded by highlighting lessons learned and the way forward in terms of strengthening the Peer-Learning Platform on EITI as well as in terms of promoting advocacy for implementation of EITI in all Member States.

[1] ICGLR- LMRC (2015) , Capacity Bulding Bulletin N°2: Launching of Regional Peer-Learning Platform on EITI

Resources on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( EITI )

For more information on the EITI as a tool for transparency and accountability in extractive industry sector, the following are some resources. To read more click on the title:

Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) Secretariat: https://eiti.org/  

EITI implementation in ICGLR Member States

In line with its mandate of monitoring the domestication and implementation of ICGLR Pact and Protocols by Member States, the Levy Mwanawasa Regional Centre (LMRC) for Democracy and Good Governance, the scientific organ of the ICGLR, in collaboration with the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) and with support from ICGLR-GIZ Programme conducted an operational research to assess the status of implementation of EITI in the 12 ICGLR Member States. The research findings and recommendations have been discussed and validated by the ICGLR Regional Committee on Natural Resources composed of experts representing Member States during their meeting on 20th March 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The study report showed that the level of EITI implementation was low among Member States as only five countries were implementing it. The report argues that the low level of implementation is a result of both low level of understanding of the initiative by key stakeholders, including Government, Civil Society and Private Sector, as well as lack of technical capacity and /or political will to effectively implement the tool.

To address challenges outlined in the study, the ICGLR – LMRC has setup a Regional Peer- Learning Platform on EITI whose objective is to strengthen capacity of key stakeholders through sharing of experiences and lessons learned, as well as challenges faced and identifying practical options to address them.

https://eiti.org/