The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard for promoting greater accountability in developing countries which are rich in oil, gas, or mineral resources. Studies have shown that, when governance is good these resources can be an important engine for growth and sustainable development. Correspondingly, when governance is poor, countries dependent on these resources are susceptible to poverty, corruption, and conflict – the so-called “resource curse”. The EITI aims to mitigate this risk by promoting greater transparency over payments made by companies to government, and revenues received by governments; and by improving the accountability of governments and companies to local civil society groups.

Afghanistan is one of the 23 EITI candidate countries. On March 16, 2009 the government of Afghanistan announced its endorsement of the principles of EITI. Afghanistan endorsed EITI to help promote the efficient and effective management of revenues received from extractive resources in Afghanistan, in line with international standards. The office for AEITI is established in the Ministry of Finance, which indicates the high commitment of the government of Afghanistan towards bringing transparency in the management of the extractive resources. In November 2010 Mr. Bashir Khan Salihi was appointed as National Coordinator to lead EITI implementation in Afghanistan. The AEITI enables the management and use of revenues in accordance with the EITI Principles and Criteria, such that transparency, inclusiveness and openness in the management of extractive resources are viewed as engines for sustainable growth and national development.

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