This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a Transparency International chapter. The Anti-Corruption Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International. The project is supported by The Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation.
Query
What are the corruption risks associated with foreign influence in natural resource management, and what potential anti-corruption measures can address them?
Summary
Undue foreign influence in natural resource extraction thrives on opaque processes, lack of transparency and oversight, and gaps in law enforcement. Risks of undue influence are particularly acute in licensing, where foreign firms can use corrupt means to bypass due process and in operations, where foreign companies may engage in corruption to circumvent compliance obligations. Potential measures to strengthen integrity include political integrity measures such as political finance safeguards and strong frameworks for managing conflicts of interest, integrity reform in state-owned enterprises, strengthened cross-border cooperation as well as applying social accountability mechanisms.
Main points
- Weak governance in licensing and contract awards enables foreign actors to secure extractive rights through opaque and corrupt means.
- Weak operational oversight enables bribery, regulatory evasion and environmental harm by foreign operators.
- Potential anti-corruption measures include beneficial ownership transparency, creating and enforcing political integrity rules, integrity reforms in state-owned enterprises, ensuring community participation, enhancing contract and revenue transparency, and boosting cross-border cooperation.
Authors
Mathias Bak, [email protected]
Reviewers
Jamie Bergin, Gabriela Camacho, Matthew Jenkins (TI-S)
Date
30/09/2025
