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Shaping the future of resource governance: EITI’s 2024–2028 strategic priorities

Mark Robinson outlines EITI’s 2024–2028 strategy to tackle corruption, boost revenues, and drive a just energy transition.

Natural resource governance is at a crossroads. As the world navigates the complexities of the energy transition, corruption and demands for sustainable development, the EITI is a critical tool to ensure resource wealth contributes to the public good. Building on over two decades of leadership in extractive sector governance, the EITI’s new strategic priorities for 2024–2028 chart a bold path forward.

EITI strategic priorities 2024-2028

Discover how the EITI’s strategic priorities on anti-corruption, revenue mobilisation and the energy transition are shaping the future of extractive sector governance.

EITI Strategic priorities 2024-2028 mockup

Drawing from experience, responding to change

The EITI’s mission – promoting transparency, accountability and understanding in the extractive sector – has never been more urgent. Through broad consultation, our new priorities build on the achievements of the 2021–2023 strategy while responding to evolving global trends. These priorities are not just high-level aspirations; they reflect the realities faced by over 50 implementing countries and offer practical guidance to address governance challenges.

Our new priorities build on the achievements of the 2021–2023 strategy while responding to evolving global trends.

Importantly, these priorities are not directives. The EITI works through a multi-stakeholder model that empowers governments, companies and civil society to drive change within their national contexts. By aligning global priorities with local needs, the EITI fosters richer multi-stakeholder discussions and catalyses progress on critical governance issues.

Core priorities: Addressing today’s challenges

At the heart of the 2024–2028 strategy are three core priorities: tackling corruption, strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation and navigating the energy transition.

Anti-corruption

Corruption erodes trust and impedes sustainable development and the equitable distribution of resource wealth. The EITI tackles this challenge by promoting robust disclosures, such as corporate anti-corruption measures, beneficial ownership data and state-owned enterprise transactions. By equipping stakeholders to expose and address governance gaps, the EITI fosters greater accountability.

Examples from countries like Armenia, Mozambique and Togo show how embedding anti-corruption measures into EITI processes can empower multi-stakeholder groups to leverage data and dialogue for impactful governance reforms.

Revenue mobilisation

Sustainable development depends on the effective collection and management of natural resource revenues. The EITI strengthens transparency around production, exports and fiscal systems, enabling governments to optimise revenues. By encouraging both sound revenue management and adherence to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, the EITI also helps countries attract responsible investment.

The creation of an enabling environment for responsible investment is vital for building resilient economies in resource-rich nations, particularly as countries pursue development goals and manage debt. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, contract reviews facilitated through the EITI supported government renegotiations with Chinese investors that unlocked USD 4 billion in additional revenue, demonstrating the transformative potential of transparency in driving economic gains.

Energy transition

The global shift towards renewable energy is reshaping the extractive sector, with critical energy transition minerals playing a pivotal role in clean energy technologies. However, this transition introduces governance challenges, including risks to community rights and environmental sustainability.

The updated 2023 EITI Standard responds to these issues by requiring disclosures on transition minerals, environmental and social impacts and community consultation processes. These efforts align with new UN principles for fair and responsible mineral production, ensuring transparency supports climate goals and equitable development.

Enabling priorities: Turning transparency into impact

The EITI’s enabling priorities – inclusive governance, data access and use, and monitoring and learning – are fundamental to achieving meaningful outcomes on these core issues.

Inclusive governance

Multi-stakeholder dialogue lies at the heart of the EITI’s approach. By amplifying diverse voices, including those of women, marginalised groups and local communities, the EITI ensures that governance decisions reflect the needs of all citizens. Strengthened subnational representation connects local perspectives to national strategies, enhancing development outcomes.

Data access and use

Timely, accessible data is essential for informed decision-making. The EITI is advancing systematic disclosures to replace retrospective reporting with real-time data, enabling stakeholders to conduct targeted analysis and strengthen oversight. Guided by the EITI's data strategy, this shift unlocks the untapped potential of data to support governance reforms and public accountability.

Monitoring and learning

Transparency efforts must evolve to remain effective. By embedding monitoring, evaluation and learning into its approach, the EITI fosters a culture of continuous learning. Streamlined indicators and actionable recommendations help implementing countries adapt to changing contexts, ensuring that the EITI’s tools remain relevant and impactful.

From priorities to practice

The EITI’s strategic priorities are more than just a roadmap – they are a call to action. To turn these priorities into tangible impact, the EITI International Secretariat is prioritising tailored guidance, fostering strong partnerships and embracing innovative approaches.

Technical support empowers multi-stakeholder groups to translate their EITI work plans into actionable outcomes that align with national priorities. Partnerships with donors and international organisations amplify efforts in areas such as beneficial ownership, contract transparency and renewable energy governance. By sharing success stories and best practices, the EITI fosters collaboration and inspires progress in resource governance.

The EITI’s strategic priorities are more than just a roadmap – they are a call to action.

As we implement the 2024–2028 strategy, the EITI remains committed to fostering collaboration, leveraging data and strengthening governance. By working with resource-rich countries to support them in navigating their unique challenges, we can ensure that natural resource wealth serves as a foundation for sustainable and equitable development.

The path forward is ambitious, but it is grounded in the principles that have guided the EITI since its inception. Together, we can build a future where transparency drives accountability, and accountability drives progress.

    Author(s)
    Mark Robinson
    Photo attribution
    Shutterstock