Anti-corruption
Using data and dialogue to tackle extractive sector corruption
Corruption remains a significant challenge in many resource-rich countries, undermining development and eroding public trust. The extractive sector is particularly vulnerable due to the high value of resources, complex value chains and the involvement of political elites. These factors heighten corruption risks across the extractive value chain, from opaque licensing processes and cost manipulation to tax evasion and revenue misappropriation.
The EITI addresses these risks through robust disclosure requirements and a multi-stakeholder approach. The 2023 EITI Standard supports countries in identifying and mitigating corruption by exposing governance practices vulnerable to abuse, highlighting suspicious transactions, and improving public access to critical information such as beneficial ownership and contracts. By fostering transparency and collaboration, the EITI promotes accountability, public debate and advocacy, playing a key role in advancing global anti-corruption efforts.
The 2023 EITI Standard introduces various anti-corruption objectives and requirements to support EITI multi-stakeholder groups in identifying and addressing corruption risks. Specifically, it includes provisions that ensure accountability across the extractive value chain through:
- Disclosure of beneficial ownership information, including politically exposed persons (PEPs).
- Transparency in the award and transfer of extractive licenses.
- Reporting on the financial transactions and investments of state-owned enterprises.
- Reporting on revenues and costs.
- Disclosure of contracts underpinning social and environmental obligations.
- Publication of anti-corruption policies and practices by companies.
Addressing corruption risks through EITI implementation
Learn how EITI implementation can help mitigate corruption. Download our guidance note for a step-by-step approach, tools and case studies from EITI countries.
News, blogs and events
Helen Clark on tackling crime and corruption in ASM gold mining
Digging deeper: How Armenia is leading the way in beneficial ownership transparency
Beneficial ownership transparency
Hidden ownership enables corruption by concealing the true beneficiaries of extractive activities. Since 2020, the EITI has required the disclosure of beneficial ownership, which helps uncover conflicts of interest, prevent illicit financial flows and hold companies and individuals accountable.
Through the Opening Extractives programme, delivered jointly with Open Ownership, the EITI provides targeted support to selected countries to catalyse reforms and improve transparency in company ownership.
Contract transparency
Publishing the full text of extractive contracts and licences enables public scrutiny of the terms governing natural resource projects, allowing comparisons with legal frameworks and model agreements to identify inconsistencies and irregularities that may signal corrupt practices. Contract transparency empowers civil society to analyse agreements, highlight potential risks, and advocate for fairer, more accountable negotiations. Robust public scrutiny helps deter corruption and ensures extractive projects deliver greater benefits for citizens.
The role of civil society in combatting corruption
Civil society, including media and academia, plays a crucial role in holding governments and companies accountable and preventing corruption in the extractive sector. By leveraging transparency data, engaging in public debate, and scrutinising governance practices, civil society helps identify risks, expose wrongdoing and advocate for reforms that strengthen accountability and protect public interests.
Anti-corruption in action
Armenia
In Armenia, the publication of beneficial ownership declarations for extractive companies in 2020 paved the way for a national, economy-wide register launched in 2023, covering around 120,000 legal entities. Investigative journalists have used the data to expose hidden interests, potential conflicts of interest and irregularities in contract awards, demonstrating how transparency can strengthen accountability and oversight.
Mozambique
In Mozambique, the 2020 EITI reporting process uncovered a fraud case involving forged payment records by company employees and tax officials, resulting in the embezzlement of approximately USD 350,000. Reconciliation of financial data revealed that while the company had made the payment, the government had not received the funds. The EITI multi-stakeholder group reported the anomaly to anti-corruption authorities, leading to an investigation, recovery of the funds and criminal charges against those involved.
Togo
In Togo, a study led by civil society identified three key corruption risks: opacity in the government’s stake in mining companies, questionable equipment rental contracts and gaps in beneficial ownership transparency. These findings spurred commitments from authorities to verify the state’s participation in mining companies and centralise beneficial ownership data, paving the way for stronger oversight and accountability.
