Transparency urges Namibia to join extractive industries initiative

The Executive Director of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Mark Robinson, was in Windhoek last week to promote his organization’s call for Namibia to join the initiative. He delivered a presentation on Friday at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) offices in the House of Democracy in Windhoek.Graham Hopwood, Executive Director of IPPR, emphasized that the EITI initiative aligns with Namibia’s own Harambee commitments. He noted that the Ministry of Mines and Energy had already appointed consultants in 2023 to prepare a report on the proposal for Namibia to join. The proposal was brought to the Cabinet’s attention, but no clear decision has been announced yet.Currently, 55 countries worldwide have adopted EITI standards. Given Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industries, it is suggested that adopting these standards would help ensure local benefits and equitable distribution of natural resource revenues.Robinson highlighted that there are 27 member countries in Africa, and he insisted that joining is voluntary for both countries and companies, as well as non-governmental organizations. In member countries, the government, industry, and NGOs form a stakeholder group that coordinates the initiative’s implementation, he explained. "It provides a mechanism for public debate on natural resources," he said.He noted that there is limited transparency worldwide in the mining value chain and that mining would be the initial focus in Namibia should the country decide to join. "We are working towards Namibia joining by 2025. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already stated that Namibia should join. This would also align with the new Access to Information legislation, for which commissioner positions have been advertised," Robinson said. He cited Zambia and Angola as good examples, where systematic disclosure of information is already yielding benefits."Zambia is receiving a lot of attention for its progress with the EITI. It has developed a beneficial ownership register with strong government support and approval. Full contract disclosure is in place in Zambia. Anyone visiting Lusaka today will witness the frantic activity of investors eager to invest in the mining sector. The EITI helps build confidence for these investors, assuring them that it is truly a good place to invest," Robinson elaborated.He mentioned that his organization is currently negotiating with Australia and Botswana to join the EITI, while Chile is expected to join by June. "I am also in discussions with South Africa. I was there last week to meet with their team," he said on Friday.The EITI already holds several major international organizations, including TotalEnergies and Shell, to higher transparency standards, while also helping member countries combat illicit capital outflows. "The argument should focus on what Namibia stands to gain from this," Robinson insisted.Local labor expert Herbert Jauch highlighted the billions lost through illicit capital outflows in Namibia. "Joining and becoming more honest and transparent will mean stepping on the toes of entrenched interests," he warned.Steve Galloway pointed out that major Western countries involved in mining, oil, and gas are not EITI members, although he still recommended Namibia’s participation. "Some of the worst practices are still committed by northern countries that are not members. Why should we apply your standards if you don’t follow them yourselves?" he asked.However, trade union leader Ndjizuvee Haakuria sees membership as an opportunity to hold Western mining companies accountable to their own standards. "If and when Namibia joins, all companies will have to report, and the information will be publicly available," he insisted.Hopwood believes Robinson’s visit comes at the perfect time, "with many developments converging in 2025, including a new government and a new president who has made it clear that she is committed to fighting corruption," he said.

Transparency urges Namibia to join extractive industries initiative

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-20

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Transparency urges Namibia to join extractive industries initiative

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-20

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