The East African Thursday December 10 2020 Publishing the terms of extractive contracts is a powerful antidote to corruption for resource-rich countries. PHOTO | FILE | NMG Summary Progress has been made on contract transparency across the region and there are good examples of how contract information has been used towards this goal. Advertisement With a fifth of enforcement actions under the US Foreign Corruption Practices Act originating from oil, gas and mining, the prevalence of corruption in the sector is an unfortunate reality. But alongside this reality, 2021 brings better news. Publishing the terms of extractive contracts is a powerful antidote to corruption for resource-rich countries. Contract transparency is rapidly becoming the norm and, from January 1, 2021, all 55 countries implementing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) are required to publish all new contracts and contract amendments.