By Dean Chisambo
Malawi has scored a dismal 24.5% on the Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI), falling short of the global average of 43%. The report, launched by COST Malawi, assessed transparency and accountability in planning, procurement, and implementation of public infrastructure projects.
COST Malawi Chairperson Engineer Samuel Biton attributed the poor score to implementation gaps, despite Malawi’s strong legal framework. “We have good laws, but implementation is the problem,” he said. Public participation is also lacking, making it hard to ensure value for money in infrastructure investments.
The report recommends building capacity in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), engaging the public, and institutionalizing transparency. Governance Expert Mabvuto Bamusi highlighted concerns over corruption, poor procurement, and limited citizen oversight, leading to low-quality infrastructure.
Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) Engineer Gerald Khonje welcomed the report, citing efforts to promote transparency, including disclosure of projects and legal reforms. Malawi’s score is lower than Uganda’s 32.26% and far behind Costa Rica’s 66.95%.
