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Governance Of Natural Resources |
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Natural Resource Project
In 2007 the Corruption & Governance Programme began work on a project exploring the impact of resource extraction on the African continent. The project is motivated by concerns that the intensification of resource extraction in industries such as mining, logging and fisheries is leading to numerous detrimental consequences in terms of human development and environmental degradation. Yet despite widespread unease about the ‘resource curse’, African governments and key inter-governmental organisations continue to promote resource exploitation as being essential for pro-poor development and the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.
The objective of our natural resource project is to explore the political economy of resource extraction in Africa. This involves considering the power relations between African governments, multinational companies and foreign interests, as well as analysis of issues including corruption, state capture and forms of criminality. The long-term aim of the project is to provide policy recommendations at a national and regional level, as well as help develop networks and partnerships with African civil society organisations who share a commitment to pro-poor development and environmental security.
This year we are involved in the following activities:
- A study on the social and environmental impact of mining in Africa. The resulting publication from this study will contain case studies written by leading experts on mining in South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana and Liberia. The publication will be discussed at a seminar in Johannesburg in November 2007.
- A study into the political economy of illegal fishing in Southern and Eastern Africa. This report will provide an overview of the crisis facing many African oceans caused by over-fishing and illegal activities. Case studies will be included from several countries in the region, including Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia. The publication will be launched at a seminar on illegal fishing in Africa in Nairobi in November 2007.
- The production of an annotated bibliography on the resource curse in Africa. We are compiling an in-depth literature review and annotated bibliography on the subject of the resource curse. This will be made available on-line, as well as in hard copy with accompanying CD-ROM. The bibliography will contain +/- 200 articles and documents organised into key thematic areas and is intended to facilitate policy makers, researchers and students.
- A dedicated webpage on the governance of Africa’s natural resources, containing our publications, the annotated bibliography and details of events, meetings and future research projects.
For further information on the natural resource project, please contact André Standing at the ISS office in Cape Town.
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