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Guidance

How to become an EITI implementing country

This page sets out the process for countries seeking to apply to become an EITI implementing country.

Applicable EITI Standard
2019
Related EITI Requirements

Section 2 of Part 1 of the 2023 EITI Standard

This section sets out the process for countries seeking to apply to become an EITI implementing country.


A country intending to implement the EITI is required to undertake a number of sign-up steps before applying to become an EITI country. These steps relate to government commitment (Requirement 1.1), company engagement (Requirement 1.2), civil society engagement (Requirement 1.3), the establishment of a multi-stakeholder group (Requirement 1.4) and agreement on an EITI work plan and monitoring cycle (Requirement 1.5). When the country has completed these steps and wishes to be recognised as an EITI implementing country, the government should submit an EITI application to the EITI Board (see below).

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 their preparations for becoming an EITI implementing country.


How to become an EITI implementing country

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 application1, endorsed by the EITI 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 EITI 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 a country during EITI Board meetings, although it 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 (including the scope for extensions of these deadlines) is outlined in “EITI Board oversight” in Part 2 of the EITI Standard.

Contact us

To learn more about how to submit and EITI candidature application, please contact the EITI International Secretariat at [email protected].

Request for adapted implementation

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.


Funding

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.

  • 1A standard application form is available from the EITI International Secretariat.
Requirement
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5