NEITI Seeks Regional Collaboration to Boost Domestic Resource Mobilisation

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday called for closer collaboration and partnerships among English and Lusophone member countries of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Africa.

The goal, NEITI said, is to boost revenue generation, address budget deficits, and mitigate the debt burden that many sub-Saharan African countries face under the EITI framework on Domestic Resource Mobilisation (DRM).

The Special Peer Learning Regional Meeting of English/Portuguese Implementation Countries of EITI, which concluded in Lusaka, Zambia, brought together National Coordinators of EITI from West, East, Central, and Southern Africa.

It also witnessed the attendance of development partners, international organisations, and representatives from the oil, gas, and mining sectors.

Delegates from Tanzania, Uganda, Liberia, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, Angola Sierra Leone, Congo Democratic Republic, Nigeria and the host nation Zambia were among countries that participated in the weeklong meeting.

The discussions centred on advancing strategies for DRM to enhance revenue generation, support development goals, reduce poverty, and address budget deficits in EITI member countries.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, who is also the National Coordinator of EITI in Nigeria, emphasised that the recently concluded Lusaka meeting set the stage for enhanced collaboration among EITI implementing countries in Africa.

He explained that this was particularly in the areas of domestic resource mobilisation, climate change, and energy transition.

“The shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and innovative approaches will be crucial in driving economic development and addressing the challenges posed by the evolving global energy landscape,” Orji was quoted as saying in a statement signed by NEITI’s Deputy Director/Head Communications & Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah.

Orji maintained that the EITI implementation community in Nigeria remains open to peer learning and sharing opportunities for innovation.

He urged EITI member countries to fully embrace domestic resource mobilisation, develop strategic partnerships to enhance revenue generation, diversify their economies, and reduce budget deficits.

He highlighted the importance of investing in non-oil sectors and creative industries to ensure sustainable economic growth.

Representing Nigeria at the African Regional Meeting in Lusaka, Orji, alongside Dr. Erisa Danladi Sariki, the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Representative on the NEITI board, played vital roles as guest speakers and resource persons.

Orji used the platform to outline Nigeria’s strategic plans to diversify its economy, with a particular focus on developing the solid minerals sector, advancing gas commercialisation, and liberalising the oil, gas, and mining sectors through the introduction of investor-friendly legislation.

He welcomed the ongoing synergy and collaboration between anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, noting that the regular exchange of information and data among these agencies was already yielding positive results.

“This collaboration, he emphasised, is crucial for ensuring a more transparent and accountable extractive sector in Nigeria, rebuilding citizens’ trust, and boosting investor confidence.

He also underlined the importance of creating an attractive investment climate to stimulate economic growth. He noted that the opportunities presented by domestic resource mobilisation were better realised through regional partnerships with countries rich in oil, gas, and mining—a common factor within the EITI community.

The Director for the Africa Region at the International Secretariat of EITI, based in Oslo, Norway, who was present at the Lusaka meeting, stressed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and openness in managing the challenges faced by oil-dependent countries in the context of climate change and the ongoing global energy transition.