Niger returns to the EITI as 53rd implementing country, renewing its commitment to extractives transparency
Following the country’s withdrawal from the EITI process in October 2017, the Government of Niger has re-committed to implement the EITI. Its candidature was approved by the EITI Board today, making it the 53rd country implementing the EITI Standard, and the 25th in Africa.
Opportunities for EITI implementation
Niger first became an EITI candidate country in 2007. The country implemented the EITI for 10 years, producing EITI Reports covering fiscal years 2005 to 2014. Niger’s decade of EITI implementation spurred tangible public finance reforms, including annual audits by the Cour des Comptes (auditor general) of the government’s extractives revenue collection.
“Niger has played a role in the development of the EITI Standard and in efforts to improve extractive industry governance over the years,” said Helen Clark, Chair of the EITI. “We welcome them back as an implementing country and look forward to the EITI contributing to public debate in Niger.”
Niger’s re-admission to the EITI is timely. The extractive sector plays a significant role in Niger’s economy, with uranium, oil and gold accounting for 8% of GDP and approximately 50% of the country’s export receipts. EITI reporting provides an opportunity to improve public understanding of the way in which subnational transfers are allocated and to track the amounts due to each local government. EITI implementation can also support the publication of contracts in the official gazette (Journal Officiel), as provided for by the country’s 2010 Constitution provisions (Article 150).
Pathway to implementing the 2019 EITI Standard
Niger withdrew from the EITI in October 2017, but the EITI continued to work with government, companies and civil society in the country.
In January 2019, Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger Brigi Rafini publicly announced the Government of Niger’s intention “to resume its place within the International EITI and to play, fully and responsibly, as it has always done, its role in the governance of the extractive industries.”
In October 2019, the government submitted its candidature application to the Board to re-join the EITI.
Reconstitution of the multi-stakeholder group
Niger’s multi-stakeholder group (MSG) was reconstituted on 19 November 2018. It is composed of 30 members, 10 government representatives, one local government representative, nine mining companies and 10 civil society members.
"We are working towards transparency at the source," said EITI-Niger's National Coordinator Abdelkarim Aksar. "The EITI in Niger aims to provide up-to-date relevant information on the extractive industries in Niger in accordance with Articles 149 and 150 of Niger's constitution. We will continue to support mechanisms to fully integrate transparency within government and company reporting systems."
The World Bank supported the selection of civil society representatives to the MSG. A three-pronged methodology was applied, namely: civil society mapping of active and recognised civil society organisations; the creation of an Action Platform for Civil Society Organisations involved in the Extractive Industries; and the nomination process for civil society representatives to the MSG.
Ali Idrissa, head of civil society organisation ROTAB in Niger, stated: “Local civil society supports Niger’s reintegration into the EITI process and had no objections to the process led by technical and financial partners to support the selection of civil society representatives to the MSG. We intend to hold government accountable for its commitments under the EITI.”
About the EITI process in Niger
More information about the EITI process in Niger can be found at http://www.itieniger.ne and here.
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