Perspectives #03/2010: The Challenges of Change: Improving Resource Governance in Africa - Resource Governance | Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Cape Town. South Africa | Namibia

The Challenges of Change

When diamonds were discovered in the remote Chiadzwa area of the Marange district, Zimbabwe in 2006, many in the local community considered this as a blessing that would lessen their hardships in tough economic times. Indeed, if prudently managed the Chiadzwa diamonds could significantly boost state revenue. However, instead of funding the country’s reconstruction after years of economic collapse, the diamond rush made the people of Chiadzwa one of the latest victims of the so called “resource curse”. The discovery plunged the area into chaos and brought with it armed security forces, violence, human rights abuses, increased social instability and environmental degradation.

Against the background of similar experiences in resource-rich countries across Africa, various multi-stakeholder initiatives were established in the early 2000s. Although different in their approach and scope, all initiatives aimed at contributing to a transparent, sustainable, fair, and just governance of natural resources. Almost one decade later, the situation in Zimbabwe gives rise to the question of how successful these initiatives have been in practice and what the main challenges in implementing them are.

This issue of Perspectives sheds light on these and related questions in the context of three different case studies: Zimbabwe and the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), the Nigerian Extractive Industries Initiative (NEITI), and the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Coalition in Tanzania.

Articles

The Kimberley Process and the Chiadzwa Diamonds in Zimbabwe: Challenges and Effectiveness

July 8, 2010 - Amidst allegations of rampant human rights abuses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields and reports of diamond smuggling the KPCS has failed to take decisive action. Claude Kabemba sheds light on the reasons for the KPCS’ inability to act and concludes that a failure in Zimbabwe will send a negative signal about the relevance of the KPCS and capacity for self-regulation of the diamond industry as a whole. more»

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Nigeria: Sifting Rhetoric from Reality

- July 8, 2010 - In 2003, the establishment of NEITI became a prominent feature in an economic reform process that was to ensure a more transparent and effective governance of revenues from the country’s extractive industries sector and would serve as a basis for successful economic growth and poverty reduction. In his analysis, Uwafiokun Idemudia has a critical look at the assumptions that underpin the NEITI initiative and the extent to which the rhetoric of transparency has delivered on its promise on the ground. more»

Tanzania’s Mining Boom: Initiatives for Increased Transparency and Accountability in the Starting Holes

- July 8, 2010 - Over the last decade, Tanzania has been experiencing a rapid expansion of exploration and mining activities for minerals, gas and oil alike. In the meantime, international and local initiatives directed at improving the governance of extractive resources in Tanzania are taking off. Bubelwa Kaizer, Coordinator of PWYP Tanzania, provides some insights into the genesis of the campaign and its challenges ahead. more»