UK Prime Minister calls for transparency in oil, gas and mining sectors

In response to Prime Minister David Cameron's speech in Nigeria today about aid, trade and democracy Jamie Drummond, Executive Director of ONE, says:

"That the Prime Minister has kept his commitment to lead top British businesses to Africa speaks of the huge opportunity African trade presents to the UK - as well as to the future of the continent. So often we see Africa through a negative lens but whilst there are still too many stuck in poverty, there is also a story to tell of an Africa rising.

"David Cameron was right to identify trade and democracy as crucial pillars for development but he also recognises they are supported by smart strategic aid. Countries can only prosper if they have a healthy and educated workforce. We see this now as aid can help both get food aid through to those in desperate need, as well as help build up conditions whereby food aid won't be needed in the future.

"Another way to help finance African development is to ensure Africa's vast natural resource wealth goes to benefit its citizens not only a few corrupt elites. Cameron's call for a European law obliging oil, gas and mining companies to publish what they pay to governments in Africa on a project by project basis is commendable and we look to the whole EU to support this move. The murky deals between extractive companies and despots must become a thing of the past."

Notes to editors

• In relation to transparency in the extractives industry David Cameron said:

"In March this year Nigeria secured the global standard for transparency in oil, gas and mining. It means companies publish what they pay and governments publish what they receive. And this is a vital step in making the oil, gas and mining sectors accountable and transparent and ensuring that Nigerians secure the full benefit of their mineral wealth. Because mineral wealth should be a blessing, not a curse.

"Alongside this the US has gone a step further, introducing legally binding measures to require oil, gas and mining companies to publish key financial information for each country and project they work on. And I'm calling on Europe to do the same. We want to disclose the payments our companies make to your governments so you can hold your governments to account for the money they receive."

• ONE is a global advocacy and campaigning organization backed by more than 2 million people from around the world dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. For more information please visit www.ONE.org and follow us on Twitter: @ONECampaign

• For further information please contact Katherine Sladden, +44 7584 470 644.