ABSTRACT
This chapter contributes to an important management issue on corporate social responsibilities (CSRs) of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the oil and gas industry. It focuses on the CSR activities of MNCs for the socio-economic development and well-being of local communities where oil and gas are exploited. The chapter discusses prominent CSR initiatives of the oil sector multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Africa and examines the social and environmental impact on local communities. It identifies positive impacts such as education, infrastructure developments, environmental protection, and negative consequences such as greenwashing tactics, child labour, human rights abuses, and how MNEs take advantage of weak institutions in Africa. The chapter further discusses the cases of public anger or the legal cases the public make against MNCs in the oil and gas sector in Africa. Finally, the chapter concludes by discussing the cases of MNCs suffering negative publicity and reputational damage within the oil and gas sector in Africa and provides some policy recommendations for the governments of oil-and-gas-rich countries in Africa.
