Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango today opened the SADC Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies Conference in Lilongwe, urging member states to intensify cooperation in tackling corruption and illicit financial flows.
The meeting, underway at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), has drawn heads of anti-corruption agencies, government officials, development partners, and governance experts from across the region to deliberate on emerging threats and collective solutions.
Speaking on behalf of President Peter Mutharika, Mhango described corruption as one of the greatest barriers to development, warning that it diverts resources from essential services, weakens institutions, and erodes public trust.
“The fight against corruption is not merely a legal obligation; it is a development imperative,” he said.
He noted that this year’s theme; “Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows: Procurement Integrity, Asset Recovery, Whistleblower Protection and Leveraging Digital Technologies”, underscores the need for innovative, coordinated responses to increasingly sophisticated forms of corruption.
Mhango stressed that no country can confront the challenge alone given the interconnected nature of modern financial systems. “Only through sustained collaboration, shared commitment and collective action can we build resilient systems capable of deterring corruption and safeguarding the future of our region,” he added.
The Minister reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to good governance, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law within the SADC framework. The conference, which runs until 25 June 2026, is expected to produce actionable recommendations to advance integrity and strengthen anti-corruption systems across the region.
Earlier, Acting Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Gabriel Chembezi said the gathering provides a vital platform for building partnerships and developing practical solutions to combat illicit financial flows, procurement corruption, and other emerging threats.
He called for stronger cooperation through joint investigations, information sharing, and coordinated asset recovery efforts.
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