Cameroon has advocated lifting its suspension from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Calistus Gentry, said on Monday that he recently met with the chair of the EITI Board, Maria van der Hoeven, in Brussels, Belgium.

The meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 10th EITI Global Conference, provided an opportunity to present Cameroon’s commitments to transparency and good governance in the extractive sector.

The EITI, a global standard headquartered in Norway that promotes open and accountable management of oil, gas, and mineral resources, operates on a unique multi-stakeholder approach that brings together governments, companies, and civil society.

Cameroon was officially suspended from the EITI in 2024 following a low-compliance score in its validation review.

While the Central African country made progress on financial disclosures, the suspension was triggered by government restrictions on civil society, insufficient civil society engagement, and unresolved corruption concerns involving bribing local oil officials.

“Discussions focused on implementing corrective measures under EITI Requirement 1.3, particularly ensuring the free and effective participation of civil society in the EITI process,” the statement said.

Mr Gentry also outlined plans to strengthen the EITI National Secretariat through the appointment of a deputy national coordinator and technical staff.

The minister further highlighted Cameroon’s commitment to working with the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) to establish a timetable for publishing petroleum contracts, financial statements and sectoral data.

“Cameroon also expressed its intention to request an early validation once a clear timetable for implementing the necessary reforms has been established,” the statement noted.

He added that the engagement reflected the country’s determination to strengthen transparency and governance in its extractive sector and pave the way for its reinstatement in the Initiative.