How to become an EITI implementing country

A country intending to implement the EITI is required to undertake a number of steps before making an application to the EITI Board. The EITI Standard sets out the steps:

• The government should issue a public statement of its intention to implement the EITI. The statement must be made by the head of state or government, or an appropriately delegated government representative (Requirement 1.1.a).
• The government should appoint a senior individual to lead the implementation of the EITI (Requirement 1.1.b).
• The government should commit to work with civil society (requirement 1.3) and companies (requirement 1.2), and establish a multi-stakeholder group to oversee the implementation of the EITI (Requirement 1.4.a).
• The multi-stakeholder group should agree a costed work plan that sets out the objectives for EITI implementation linked to national reform and development priorities. (Requirement 1.5).

The “sign-up” steps are set out in more detail in the Requirements 1.1 – 1.5 of the EITI Standard.

When the country has completed the sign‑up steps and wishes to be recognised as an EITI implementing country, the government should submit an EITI Application, endorsed by the multi‑stakeholder group. The application should describe the activities undertaken to date and provide evidence demonstrating that each of the sign‑up steps have been completed. The application should include contact details for government, civil society and private sector stakeholders involved in the EITI.

Once submitted, the application will be made publicly available on the EITI website. The EITI Board will review the application and assess whether the sign‑up steps have been completed. The International Secretariat will work closely with the senior individual appointed by the government to lead on EITI implementation in order to clarify any outstanding issues. Based on this and any other available information, the EITI Board’s Outreach and Candidature Committee will make a recommendation, within a reasonable time period, to the EITI Board on whether a country’s application should be accepted. The EITI Board will make the final decision.

The EITI Board aims to process applications within eight weeks of receiving the application. The EITI Board prefers to make decisions on admitting an EITI country during EITI Board meetings, although may consider taking a decision via Board circular between meetings where appropriate.

When the EITI Board admits an EITI implementing country, it will also establish deadlines for publishing the first EITI Report and undertaking Validation. An implementing country’s first EITI disclosures must be made available within 18 months from the date that the country was admitted. Validation will commence within two and a half years of becoming an EITI implementing country. Further information on reporting and Validation deadlines – and the scope for extensions of these deadlines – is outlined in section 4 on EITI Board oversight of EITI implementation.

Countries preparing to join the EITI are encouraged to identify potential barriers to systematic disclosures from the outset, for instance by conducting a systematic disclosure feasibility study or addressing opportunities for systematic disclosures as part of the preparations for becoming an EITI implementing country.

A prospective candidate country may face exceptional circumstances that would necessitate deviation from the EITI’s implementation requirements. In such cases, the multi-stakeholder group can apply to the EITI Board for adapted implementation.

For more information, download the full guidance note on how to become an EITI implementing country.

Implementation is funded by the countries themselves. The way it is funded differs from country to country. In many cases, financial support is provided by international development agencies. For example, the World Bank administers a lot of donor support through its EGPS Multi-Donor facility.

In addition, a number of regional development banks, UNDP, the European Commission, and bilateral aid agencies have provided technical and financial support. In some cases, companies have provided support for the implementation of the EITI. 

Implementing countries are required to make a financial contribution of USD 10,000 to the International Management of the EITI per year to help cover some of the support that they get from the international body.