Supporting Natural Resource Transparency and EITI in DRC

In collaboration with the World Bank's Development Grant Facility, RWI is providing financial support to Eastern Kasai Coaliton–Solidec, CRONGD, FODAGRI, ASDH, AJI, Syndicats des travailleurs–in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project seeks to promote the active participation of government and non-government actors in the EITI process in the DRC's Eastern Kasai Province (primarily a diamond rich region). Activities focus on producing training tools (training modules on EITI and Kimberly process, current taxation systems, and mining codes), and holding a number of workshops at the national and provincial level to build the capacity of NGOs and provincial assemblies on issues and mechanisms of good governance in the extractive industries. The workshops will focus particularly on: EITI principles and criteria, Kimberly process, and national instruments concerning natural resources (mining and forest codes, ministerial orders).

According to the Mining Ministry, a 3.75% export tax is charged on the total value of diamonds exported, with 1% of these revenues supposed to be returned to the producing regions. Unfortunately weak institutions and corruption lend to the fact that this full value is rarely returned to producing provinces. Fundamental reforms are required to improve the extractives sector in the DRC but local governments and civil society often lack the capacity and knowledge to enforce said reforms. In this vein, this project seeks to build the capacity and awareness of provincial authorities and regional CSOs in an effort to help them push for internal reforms and regulations that support transparent management of natural resource revenues.