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Explore our publications on a wide range of topics, to find the powerful facts, stories and approaches that underpin our work to make the extractive industry more open, accountable and participatory.
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In pursuit of transparent trading
Commodity trading and the activities of trading companies influence economic and governance outcomes in developing countries. Typically privately owned with flexible business models, many trading companies work extensively in “high-risk” environments – including countries with weak institutions, conflicts or other challenges that scare away more risk-averse companies. Given the size of this footprint, and its […]
In pursuit of transparent trading in Switzerland
Despite having very few natural resources itself, Switzerland has become the world’s major commodity trading hub for natural resources. With its favourable corporate fiscal regime, the country is very attractive for extractive companies. As major companies have set up their headquarters in the country, 60% of the global trade in metal and 35% of global […]
Switzerland must seize opportunity for commodity trading transparency
Joint press release by NRGI, SwissAid, Berne Declaration and the global coalition PWYP. EITI can also do more to improve visibility into commodity trader payments Berne, October 20, 2015—Switzerland, the world’s leading commodity trading hub, must pave the way for more transparency in natural resource payments. The Swiss government should alter its course and include […]
Suspicions of corruption in Kinross-Tasiast, Mauritania: what are our leaders waiting for?
During the month of July, Kinross Mining Company was ordered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to explain allegations it had received undue payments made to government officials and some internal control deficiencies in their operations in Mauritania and Ghana. This follows two earlier requests by both the SEC and the Justice Department […]
Legislate, don’t negotiate – Mineral resources: Zambia’s capital wealth?
As in many other countries, taxes represent Zambia’s largest source of domestic revenue, making taxation issues vital for our country’s governance and development. The importance of taxation cannot be over-emphasized as governments are ushered into office based on their promises to revise tax regimes for the greater benefit of its citizens, only to lose power […]
Investing in development – what’s next?
Two weeks ago, leaders and decision-makers gathered in Addis for the 3rd Financing for Development Summit (FFD3) to commit to strengthening and exploring innovative ways to finance development. Whilst there were quite some progress, the outcome of the meeting also presented some serious let downs. PWYP decided to share the hopes and expectations of the […]
Financing for development and the extractives
We should no longer rely on aid to guarantee sustainable development. Instead we need to seriously look at tax revenues to contribute to a country’s own sustainable development. But some countries won’t raise sustainable development funds with current agreements and power asymmetries. For instance, countries in Africa are losing more in tax dodging and illicit […]
Stop the Bleeding: ActionAid suggests Malawi lost USD 43 million potential revenue from largest mining project
Malawi could have paid for 431,000 HIV/AIDS treatments or the annual salaries of 17,000 nurses, 8,500 doctors or 39,000 teachers if the USD 43 million of potential revenue had not been lost from its largest mining project. This is according to the recently launched ActionAid International study An Extractive Affair: How one Australian mining company’s […]
Important budgetary cuts in Congo-Brazzaville. But where did the money go?
In the Republic of Congo, the PWYP coalition is campaigning for better management of natural resources by looking into the efficiency of public spending. To this end, it organises targeted actions to hold the government accountable and to involve citizens into the budgetary process. The President of the National Assembly rises solemnly. The microphone crackles […]
PWYP Nigeria pushes President for reform in extractives
A new campaign by PWYP Nigeria, together with wider civil society in Nigeria, is urging new President Buhari to push through the long awaited Petroleum Industry Bill within his first 100 days in office. Despite being a resource rich country, Nigeria hasn’t benefited from a well-governed oil and gas sector but instead has been plagued […]
German Bundestag strengthens commodity transparency
This is an English version of a blog written by Andreas Hübers, Policy Advisor at ONE Germany, and originally posted on the ONE Germany website in German. Recently the German radio station, Deutschlandradio Kultur, had a feature called “The resource curse – Why so many countries remain poor despite abundant natural resources“, during which I […]
The Woodcutters – a fight for transparency and justice in Niger
From coups to new constitutions, The Woodcutters introduces us to Marou Amadou, Ali Idrissa and Mamane Wada, three men fighting for justice and transparency in Niger. We follow their journey as Niger reaches new levels of openness, enshrining the principle of transparency of natural resources in their constitution. The film also demonstrates how the PWYP […]