Transparency and accountability in Africa’s extractive industries: the role of legislature

This report identifies the challenges that African legislators face in overseeing their countries’ oil and mining industries, as well as best practices in use around the world and recommendations for future engagement.

The report finds that international organisations, local advocacy groups, and multinational corporations have played a key role in increasing public access to information and awareness in government oversight. Also, a growing number of African legislatures are more active in the management and oversight of the extractive sector. However, political and institutional constraints are the principal stumbling blocks to improved management and oversight of the extractive industries.

Key recommendations include: 

• legislative bodies and Individual members should take advantage of international interest and support for increased transparency and accountability to develop more specialised knowledge and become more engaged in management and oversight issues 
  
• international advocacy groups and local civic activists and organisations should seek opportunities to work with legislative bodies, and promote legislative participation in extractive industry initiatives 
  
• members of the international community and the private sector should include legislative bodies and individual legislators in capacity building programs to improve extractive industry management and oversight