Governance · extractives
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
Definition
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is a global standard, founded in 2003, that promotes open and accountable management of extractive resources. In implementing countries, companies disclose what they pay to governments and governments disclose what they receive, with figures reconciled and published under the oversight of a multi-stakeholder group (MSG) of government, industry and civil society. The EITI Standard — revised most recently in 2023 — extends beyond payment reconciliation to cover the full extractives value chain, including contract transparency, state-owned enterprises (Requirement 2.6) and beneficial ownership disclosure (Requirement 2.5).
References
2023 Standard, Requirement 2.5 (beneficial ownership), Requirement 2.6 (state-owned enterprises)
founding in 2003, payments/revenues disclosure, multi-stakeholder governance
Overview
What it means
EITI converts the abstract goal of resource transparency into a verified, country-level process: disclosure is mandatory for all material companies and agencies in an implementing country, and an independent validator assesses progress against the Standard. It is the principal institutional answer to the "resource curse" diagnosis that opaque revenues fuel corruption and conflict.
How it is used
Used by governments to demonstrate reform, by civil society to track resource revenues, and by investors and lenders as a governance-risk signal for extractive jurisdictions.
Why it matters
Extractive revenues are the fiscal backbone of many developing economies; making payments and ownership visible is a precondition for accountability, fair taxation and informed debate about resource wealth.