Live Q&A: How Can Africa's Natural Resources Benefit All Citizens?

Dec 11, 2014 | The Guardian and Adam Smith International
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Riches in oil and gas are failing to reduce poverty. Join a panel on Thursday 11 December, 1-3pm GMT to discuss how governments can capitalise on resources. The paradox that natural resource rich countries in Africa have failed to lift their people out of poverty has been romantically described as a “curse”, suggesting that governments are powerless to free themselves. But the reality is that a series of methodical steps can help the potential profits from oil, gas and diamonds to benefit all citizens.

“Governments need to see themselves as custodians – and not the owners – of natural resources; managing them responsibly and transparently on behalf of current and future generations,” said UK MP Lynne Featherstone in a speech on international development earlier this year.

Easier said then done, but unravelling the paradox of resource-rich people-poor countries is crucial to the future development of the continent, and policymakers, civil society, corporations and international bodies all have a role to play.

“Africa loses twice as much in illicit financial outflows as it receives in international aid,” said Kofi Annan in a foreword on the issue for the Africa Progress Report 2013.

“It is unconscionable that some companies, often supported by dishonest officials, are using unethical tax avoidance, transfer pricing and anonymous company ownership to maximize their profits, while millions of Africans go without adequate nutrition, health and education.”

So how can developing countries generate more revenue from their natural resources to benefit all citizens? How can tax inspectors in developing countries stay one step ahead of large corporations’ expert accountants and lawyers? How can governments strike a balance between keeping taxes low enough to attract investment and high enough to fund public services?

On Thursday 11 December, 1-3pm GMT, join an expert panel to discuss these questions and more.

The Panel:

Steve Macey, manager - revenue and extractives, Adam Smith International, London, UK, @adamsmithint
Steve is an economist with experience in tax and extractive industries. He spent two years in Sierra Leone working for the tax policy unit of their ministry of finance.

Delali W.K. Klubi, assistant commissioner, Ghana Revenue Authority, Accra, Ghana
Delali is a tax consultant who is responsible for the assessment and collection of petroleum revenues in Ghana.

George Lugalambi, media capacity development officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Kampala, Uganda, @glugalambi
George’s role at NRGI, an independent non-profit advising countries on managing natural resources, is to strengthen the capacity of journalists to effectively cover the mining sector in east Africa.

Joseph Kraus, senior policy manager, One, Washington DC, @hurrayforfacts
Joseph is manages policy on transparency and accountability at campaigning NGO One.

David Rice, director, Africapitalism Institute, Lagos, Nigeria, @AfricapInst
David leads a new, pan-African thinktank focused on the private sector’s role in development.

Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa, founder, Hoja Law Group, Nairobi, Kenya,@nubiancounsel
Jacqueline’s law firm helps companies working in Africa. She has advised Rwanda’s ministry of justice on investment, trade and infrastructure and is anAspen Institute New Voices Fellow 2014.

Gilbert Makore, coordinator, Publish What You Pay Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe,@gilbert_makore
Gilbert is a social justice activist who has over five years’ experience working with mining communities in Zimbabwe.

Marieme Jamme, co-founder, Africa Gathering, London, UK, @mjamme
Mariéme’s company Spotone Global Solutions helps international tech companies to work in Africa. She co-founded Africa Gathering to share business knowledge about the continent.