Public Finance Management

Understanding the context

Corruption has remained rampant at both national and local levels as shown by the Office of the Auditor General whose 2022 report revealed financial irregularities amounting to ZMW103.5 billion. To further this fact, the 2022 Zambia Bribe Payers Index, a study conducted by Transparency International Zambia and the Anit-Corruption Commission, indicated that the probability of a bribery experience or the percentage number of incidences where a bribe was asked for was 24.1%. Another issue of concern is the level of transparency and accountability in the revamped Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which has increased significantly from ZMW 1.6million per constituency in 2021 to ZMW 30.6 million per constituency in 2024. Further to this, public participation in public finance management issues and budget formulation processes has remained low across the country. These issues point to the need to enhance public capacity on public finance management to participate effectively in public finance processes and in turn demand for transparency, accountability and the protection of public resources.

What we do

Our action contributes to increased citizens’ capacity to participate in public finance management through the use of social accountability and human rights-based approaches to demand for transparency and accountability in public resource management from duty bearers.

Evidence generation and use for third party monitoring (TPM) on specific issues in CDF, public campaigns and engagements will solidify and lead to effective public participation and demand, which will also lead to increased transparency, accountability and integrity in CDF processes.

Our priorities for 2024

Capacity-building for citizens to participate in social accountability and human rights approaches, third part monitoring (TPM), CDF processes, budget formulation, public debt transparency
Strengthening engagement spaces for citizens and duty bearers’ engagements at sub national level

Updates

TI-Z Calls for Reduced Allocation to the Constituency Development Fund (Cdf)

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) is concerned by the underperformance and major governance weaknesses in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) programme as highlighted by the Office of the Auditors General in the 2023 CDF Audit. Notably, less than 42 percent of the available funds for Community Projects were utilized and the entire programme only managed to [...]

TI-Z Cautions Against Undermining the Credibility of the Office of The Auditor General

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) notes with concern the recent statement by the Permanent Secretary for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) suggesting that the Auditor General’s report on parastatals is inaccurate, as reported in the News Diggers newspaper recently. Such assertions, if left unchecked, risk eroding the credibility of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), [...]

Third Party Monitoring of Constituency Development Fund in Zambia

In its original formulation in 1995, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was an empowerment programme aimed at creating an enabling environment for holistic development at Constituency level.[1] The Members of Parliament (MPs) were the custodian of the Fund, and in collaboration with the Community, the MPs made choices and implemented projects in order to improve […]

Risks of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Zambia

Illicit financial flows (IFFs) are flows of funds across borders, which originate from illicit activities, transferred through illicit transactions or stem from a licit activity but used in an illicit manner. IFFs are hugely detrimental to Africa’s potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as they cause a major drain on capital and revenues, undermine […]

Analysis of the Special Audit Report of the Auditor General on External Public Debt

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is Zambia’s Supreme Audit Institution (SAI). In accordance with the provisions of Article 250of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment)Act No. 2 of 2016, the OAG recently published a Special Audit Report on External Public Debt of the Republic of Zambia for the period;1st January 2006 to 31st December […]

2023 FIC Report Points to Increased Capacity to Identify Illicit Financial Transactions

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) welcomes the release of the 2023 Financial Intelligence Centre Trends Report. While TI-Z is currently analysing the specific case studies presented in the report, our overall view thus far is that the 2023 FIC Trends Report shows increased capacity to identify illicit financial transactions in Zambia and therefore provides a good […]

2024 Supplementary Budget Highlights

Out of the ZMW 41.9 Billion of the Supplementary Budget, 19.8% or ZMW8.3 Billion will be allocated to the National Drought Response. Out of this amount, ZMW 5.2 Billion is allocated to Social Cash Transfer Programme under Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. ZMW14.6 Billion or 34.8% of the budget has been allocated to […]

TI-Z Statement on the Supplementary Budget

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) acknowledges the transparency demonstrated by the Government in announcing the supplementary budget amounting to K41.9 billion. This announcement reflects a proactive approach in reallocating resources, in response to current challenges and potentially in response to the utilization patterns observed by Ministries, Provinces and Spending Agencies (MPSAs). However, TI-Z wishes to raise […]

Debt Disclosed: A Civil Society Checklist for Debt Transparency and Accountability

Debt is a critical component of a country’s public finances. When acquired and managed responsibly, debt can be an important part of a country’s economy and fiscal health. It can be used to finance thedevelopment of new infrastructure that improves people’s lives and increases economic output. During times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, […]

TI-Z Preliminary Statement on the Special Audit on External Public Debt

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) welcomes the release of the Special Audit Report on External Public Debt of the Republic of Zambia for the period 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2022. The Special Audit of Zambia’s External Debt was long overdue as it has been the subject of civil society advocacy efforts for over a […]

Risks of Illicit Financial Flows in Africa

Transparency International has identified key factors that make African countries susceptible to illicit financial outflows linked to corruption. Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia are all at risk. Illicit financial flows (IFFs) are flows of funds across borders which originate from illicit activities, are transferred through illicit transactions or […]

TI-Z Expects Realistic and Responsive 2024 Budget

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) is looking forward to the presentation of the 2024 National Budget by the Honorable Minister of Finance on Friday 29th September 2023. The National Budget is the most important short-term public policy tool that is used to measure government policy commitments and direction.As part of our expectations, we wish to see […]

TI-Z Statement on the 2022 Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Trends Analysis Report

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) welcomes the 2022 Trends Analysis report which was released two weeks ago by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). Over the course of the last two weeks, we have subjected this report to a comprehensive and critical analysis in order to not only understand the key issues it raises, but also in […]

TI-Z cautions UPND SG on nationwide CDF inspections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE17-07-2023TI-Z CAUTIONS UPND SG ON NATIONWIDE CDF INSPECTIONS It has come to our attention through our constant monitoring of media outlets that the UPND, through its secretary general, Mr Batuke Imenda, is on a nationwide inspection tour of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. This action, no matter how well intended, has the potential […]

The 8th Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Trends Report 2022

The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) continues to see the value in sharing the trends, methods and risks relating to money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing (ML/TF/PF). The 2022 Trends Report outlines the ML/TF trends observed by the FIC in the course of its operations. This report serves to educate reporting entities, the public and […]

The Mushrooming of Non-Registered Estate Agents Presents a Huge Corruption and Money Laundering Risk in Zambia’s Land Sector

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has noted the high risk and corruption vulnerability presented by the high number of unregistered and unregulated estate agents operating in the land sector in Zambia. TI-Z has therefore taken the initiative to support the publication of the dully registered estate agents as issued by the Zambia Institute for Estate Agents […]