The National Content in the extractive resource sector is not just a government policy, it’s a pathway for inclusive development and sustainable growth. This fact was stressed by Dr. Anita Togolo, who is the Country Manager for Erias Group PNG- a leading specialist environmental and social consultancy with teams in both Papua New Guinea and Australia. The Erias Group delivered more than sixty (60) projects across PNG, employing and training local scientists and specialists. Dr. Togolo, who is from both Bougainville and Australia and is a senior Social Scientist and Communities and Social impact Specialist with a PhD in Anthropology, spoke at the 2025 Papua New Guinea Resource Week CANCONEX in Port Moresby city. She delivered her presentation reflecting on the evolution of national content in PNG’s extractive resources sector, drawing on her own doctoral research and professional experience, the perspectives of colleagues as well as relevant academic and industrial incites. She said at its core, national content is about ensuring that resource projects deliver real and lasting value to the country’s economy. A national content policy refers to a framework that sets requirements for the sourcing of materials and manufacturing of goods within a country. It aims to promote local production and reduce reliance on imported goods, thereby fostering economic growth and job creation. “It goes beyond expectation, it’s about building skills, creating jobs, strengthening local business and transferring knowledge and technology,” said Dr. Togolo. “When done well, national content policies can help drive inclusive development and long-term benefits, not just during project construction, but across the life cycle of the resource sector.” She said the National Content implementation in PG has evolved gradually over the past fifty (50) years to cater for provisions for landowner engagements and benefit sharing; hence, the evolution of landowner companies (Lancos). “For companies investing in PNG’s people and partnership, it is not just right but smart.” “For the government, it requires consistent support and real implementations and for all of us, it’s a shared responsibility.