Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) Malawi Chapter has moved to strengthened transparency in public infrastructure by engaging contractors and builders on how to detect and report misprocurement.
The meeting in Lilongwe on Wednesday brought together members of the Malawi Building and Civil Engineering Contractors and Allied Trades Association (Mabcata) and focused on using the Information Platform for Public Infrastructure (IPPI) to identify “red flags”.
CoST Malawi chairperson Engineer Samuel Bitoni said the session was essential because contractors are central to the delivery of public projects.
He said: “Contractors are part of the system and their input is crucial to identifying where things may go wrong.
“Through their umbrella body, Mabcata, they can raise issues confidentially. This protects individuals while ensuring accountability in the sector.”
On his part, Mabcata vice-president Kondwani Kadango welcomed the initiative, saying it would help contractors balance integrity and competitiveness in the sector.
He said: “Construction transparency is all about integrity. If we say things the way they are, there should not be repercussions.
“Mechanisms should exist so that when a contractor is sidelined after being transparent, this too can be flagged as a red flag.”
The session also focused on the need to integrate IPPI data with the National Construction Industry Council’s project registration database to strengthen disclosure and oversight.
Initiatives such as CoST Malawi’s engagement with contractors are seen as critical to restoring public trust and ensuring infrastructure investments deliver value.
