22/06/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข-๐๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐
The SADC Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies Conference officially opened today, the 22 June 2026, in Lilongwe, Malawi, bringing together anti-corruption leaders, policymakers, and development partners to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against corruption, illicit financial flows, and related crimes.
The Conference is being jointly convened by the SADC Secretariat, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Government of the Republic of Malawi, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance across the region.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the SADC Secretariat, Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs, Dr Judith Kateera, underscored the need for collective action to address evolving corruption challenges across the region. โCorruption remains a serious threat to sustainable development, peace and security in our region. It erodes public trust, weakens institutions, distorts markets, and undermines the rule of law,โ said Dr Kateera.
The opening ceremony also featured remarks from Hon. Charles Mhango, Malawiโs Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Guest of Honour; Counsel Gabriel Chembezi, Chairperson of the SADC Anti-Corruption Committee (SACC) and Acting Director General of Malawiโs Anti-Corruption Bureau and Mr Francesco Checchi, Team Leader of the UNODC Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Hub for Africa.
Held under the theme โStrengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows: Procurement Integrity, Asset Recovery, Whistleblower Protection and Leveraging Digital Technologies,โ the conference provides a platform for Member States to exchange experiences, strengthen collaboration, and develop practical solutions to emerging corruption risks.
The meeting is particularly important as corruption increasingly transcends national borders, requiring coordinated regional responses to enhance procurement integrity, strengthen asset recovery mechanisms, protect whistleblowers, and leverage technology to detect and prevent corruption. Through these discussions, SADC Member States aim to reinforce transparency, accountability, good governance, and sustainable development across the region.