Unlocking progress: Global steps toward contract transparency

As resource-rich countries continue to prioritise transparent governance, the disclosure of contracts in the extractive sector has become a critical tool for ensuring accountability and combatting corruption. In line with this goal, the EITI Standard requires countries to disclose all contracts and licenses that are granted, amended or entered into from 1 January 2021. But how far have we come in achieving full transparency?

Taking stock: Progress since 2021

As of October 2024, nearly two-thirds of the EITI implementing countries—41 out of 55—have disclosed at least some contracts in their mining or petroleum sectors, up from 35 in 2021. In the petroleum sector, 16 countries now publish all or most of their contracts, while 15 disclose some. The mining sector shows similar figures, with 16 countries fully disclosing and 21 partially disclosing contracts. However, assessing the comprehensiveness of these disclosures remains difficult due to limited efforts by countries to ensure thorough contract reporting.

Nearly two-thirds of the EITI implementing countries—41 out of 55—have disclosed at least some contracts in their mining or petroleum sectors.

Private sector support for transparency has also grown. Among EITI’s supporting companies, 43 out of 59 (73%) assessed in June 2023 now publicly support contract disclosure. Another 15 partially meet this expectation, with some companies already making strides to improve disclosure practices. Many subsidiaries operating in EITI countries are actively contributing to national transparency efforts, highlighting a broader industry shift toward open, accountable operations.

A snapshot of progress: Contract transparency tracker

The EITI’s new contract transparency tracker offers a global overview of how EITI countries and supporting companies are advancing contract transparency. This tool provides a clear snapshot of each country’s and company’s progress, including whether they have policies on contract disclosure, and whether they publish contract annexes. 

A tool for change: The use case for contract disclosure

Publishing contracts does more than promote transparency; it can directly support domestic revenue growth and strengthen anti-corruption efforts. Civil society groups, think tanks and media can play key roles in advocating for contract transparency and scrutinising contract terms. For instance, in Guyana, public interest peaked following ExxonMobil’s 2016 discovery in the Stabroek Block oil field—one of the largest recent crude oil finds. After multiple calls for the production sharing contract to be published, it was made available the following year, leading to open discussions and analysis on its terms, and calls for future renegotiations to secure better deals for Guyana.

Publishing contracts does more than promote transparency; it can directly support domestic revenue growth and strengthen anti-corruption efforts.

Further afield, EITI multi-stakeholder groups have commissioned studies which analysed contracts to model financial outcomes and estimate future sector revenues. In the Republic of the Congo, contract information was used to develop economic models for major oilfields, allowing the government to project revenue scenarios and uncover potential for more stable income through simplified fiscal terms. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, contract disclosure enabled scrutiny of the SICOMINES infrastructure deal, which contributed to the renegotiation of the agreement in 2024, bringing in new investments from Chinese partners.

Common challenges

Consistent publication and thorough analysis of disclosed contracts remain key gaps across implementing countries. The lack of a government policy and procedures for contract disclosure often impedes progress, leaving many countries without a system for publication and complicating coordination between agencies. To date, only 27 EITI countries have included activities to enhance contract transparency in their recent EITI work plans. Still, a few countries—such as Angola, Papua New Guinea, Suriname and Tajikistan—are planning to bridge disclosure gaps.

The lack of a government policy and procedures for contract disclosure often impedes progress.

Political will is also a major barrier, with 15 countries citing it as a key obstacle. Capacity and infrastructure constraints, such as limited funding for open data platforms, technical skills gaps and inter-agency coordination issues, slow progress in countries like Ecuador and Madagascar. Some countries face legal barriers, including confidentiality clauses that restrict disclosure. Tackling these obstacles is critical for EITI implementation, and the EITI’s updated guidance provides concrete steps to help multi-stakeholder groups navigate these challenges.

Seizing the momentum

The journey toward contract transparency is well underway, but much work remains. In EITI countries and beyond, governments, companies and civil society must keep collaborating to overcome barriers, improve coordination, and secure funding for sustainable data platforms. By using EITI’s new guidance and focusing on accountability, countries can make lasting progress. As more nations embrace transparency, contract disclosure will drive fairer, more sustainable governance, ensuring extractive resources benefit everyone.