Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to tighten fraud prevention and accountability across councils.
The agreement signed in Salima on Friday alongside local councils sets out a framework for detecting, reporting and investigating corruption cases in council operations.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri said the move signals a tougher stance on malpractice, warning that no official will be shielded.
Ministry of Local Government PS Moses Chimphepo
looks on. | Esnart Tembo
“We will work hand in hand with ACB to ensure corruption has no space. All those involved will face consequences, including senior council officials,” he said.
Phiri said the MoU comes at a critical time as councils prepare to manage increased resources under new development programmes, stressing that stronger oversight is non-negotiable.
In her remarks, ACB acting director of corruption prevention Susan Phiri welcomed the strong commitment shown by the ministry.
She urged all stakeholders to move beyond the signing of agreements and focus on implementation, reinforcing the minister’s call to address existing gaps.
“The launch of the policy, together with the signing of the MoUs, establishes a clear framework for collaboration between the ACB and local councils. It provides a structured approach to preventing corruption, improving service delivery, and strengthening transparency in local governance,” said Susan Phiri.
She said the MoU goes beyond formal agreements. It reflects a shared responsibility to turn commitments into action and to build systems that serve the public with integrity.
The anti-graft push coincides with the World Bank’s approval of $80 million (about K140 billion) for the second phase of the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (Gesd II), which introduces stricter performance and accountability conditions for councils.
According to a World Bank report released on April 24 2026, the new phase will scale up performance-based grants while strengthening financial management and coordination across government to improve service delivery.
Councils that meet set benchmarks will access funding for projects such as construction of classrooms, health facilities, water points and other community infrastructure.
The minister said the added financing, alongside the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), leaves no room for weak oversight.
“With Gesd and CDF resources in place, there is no excuse for underdevelopment. What is required now is discipline, transparency and results,” he said.
Under revised CDF guidelines, each constituency will receive K5 billion, with 72 percent allocated to community projects, 10 percent to district-wide initiatives, 8 percent to empowerment and bursaries, and five percent each to infrastructure maintenance and project management.
But the minister cautioned that without strict adherence to accountability measures, the impact of both Gesd II and CDF could be undermined.
Dedza district commissioner Rosemary Nawasha said councils are ready to implement the reforms and comply with the strengthened accountability framework.
“We are prepared, and we expect better results going forward,” she said.
Gesd I, launched in April 2021 with $100 million (about K….billion) in World Bank funding, focused on improving service delivery across district councils, with the second phase set to run from June 2026 to 2031.
