Natural Resources Governance

For many mineral rich countries, development remains elusive; the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, economies stagnate, corruption flourishes and conflict deepens. The extractive industries generate tremendous wealth for more than 50 countries around the world, but many of these nations have been unable to translate the windfalls into long term growth and improved well-being for citizens.

Over the past decade, an international movement has emerged to counter this “resource curse”. Citizens from producing and consuming countries have joined together to demand better governance and true accountability in the generation and use of natural resource wealth.

A sector traditionally veiled in secrecy and managed as the exclusive domain of political elites and large corporations is beginning to open its doors to greater public scrutiny. Civil society groups are finding their way into conversations that are fundamental to the future of every resource-rich country. Governments and companies are beginning to recognize that greater openness can serve their long-term interests

The ECO’s Natural Resource Governance Programme (NRGP) focuses on the promotion transparency and accountability in the natural resources sector in Uganda. Special emphasis in the programme is put on enhancing good governance in the extractive industries and supporting stakeholders to adhere to sound environmental management practices.

Revenues from natural resources should spur economic growth and social development in developing countries. In many resource-rich countries in Africa, however, the lack of accountability and transparency in the management of these revenues exacerbates poor governance and often fuels cycles of corruption, conflict, and poverty.

ECO working with other key stakeholders like Publish What You Pay Uganda (PWYP-U) to promote the adoption of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Uganda. The EITI provides an internationally recognised framework for companies to publish what they pay and for governments to disclose what they receive as revenues from the extractive sector.

ECO empowers local communities where these resources are found to organise themselves in order to enable them benefit from the revenue of these resources. ECO’s current projects are aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the processes of exploiting mineral resources such as limestone, marble, gold and oil.