Joining EITI would place transparency at the forefront, expert says

Namibia is being urged to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) on a voluntary basis to ensure local benefits and the equitable distribution of proceeds from natural resources.EITI executive director Mark Robinson was in Windhoek last week to advocate for Namibia&#039;s membership.During a presentation at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) in Windhoek on Friday, Robinson said 27 member countries are from Africa."In member countries, the government, industry and non-governmental organisations form an interest group that coordinates the implementation of the initiative&#039;s activities in that country, he noted. IPPR&#039;s Graham Hopwood emphasised that the EITI initiative aligns with Namibia’s own Harambee commitments and that the mines and energy ministry appointed consultants in 2023 to prepare a report on the proposal for Namibia to join the EITI.The proposal has been brought to the attention of the Cabinet, but no clear decision has been announced so far. Meanwhile, 55 countries worldwide have already accepted the EITI standards.Given Namibia&#039;s emerging oil and gas industries, adopting the EITI standards could be beneficial. “The EITI certainly helps instil confidence in those investors that it is truly a good place to invest," Robinson said. Benefits Robinson explained that there is limited transparency worldwide regarding the mining value chain and that mining in Namibia will be the first focus area, should Namibia decide to join.“We are working to ensure that Namibia joins by 2025. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is on record stating that Namibia should join,” he said.“This will also align with the new legislation on access to information, for which positions for commissioners are being advertised.”Herbert Jauch, a local labour expert, highlighted the alleged billions of illegal capital outflows from Namibia."Joining and becoming more honest and transparent will require stepping on the toes of established interests," he said.Steve Galloway, a veteran miner, said major Western countries involved in mining, oil and gas are not member countries, although he still recommends Namibia join.“Some of the worst practices are still being carried out by northern countries that are not member states. Why should we apply your standards when you don&#039;t follow them yourselves?” he asked.However, 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 businesses will have to report, and the information will be public," he argued. augetto@nmh-hub.com.na

Joining EITI would place transparency at the forefront, expert says

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-16

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Joining EITI would place transparency at the forefront, expert says

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-16

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