Governance expert Victor Chipofya has backed a new directive by Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) requiring public institutions to provide proof of funding for major procurement contracts.
PPDA says the measure can strengthen transparency, improve accountability and help curb corruption.
Chipofya, who is also a lecturer at Blantyre International University, said in an interview that requiring proof of funding is a critical due-diligence measure that safeguards public resources and promotes fiscal discipline.
“It is important for government institutions to show proof that they have funding for projects because it is part of due diligence. You need to know where the funds are going to come from,” he said.
Chipofya said the requirement can also help to reduce corruption and abuse of office by creating a stronger audit trail for public projects.
“If a project is worth K1 billion, we need to know who is going to fund it,” he said, adding that the directive can help to address persistent delays in settling contractor payments.
In a circular dated November 2 2026, PPDA director general George Mankhwala directed controlling officers and heads of procuring entities to submit evidence of funding for qualifying contracts by November 20.
He said the exercise is being conducted under Section 5(1) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
“The requested evidence should be in form of a certification as provided in Regulation 36 of the Public Procurement Regulations of 2026,” he said.
The directive applies to contracts whose intention to award notices were published and subsequently signed between April 1 and October 31 2026.
