Malawi has launched its first-ever Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) report in Lilongwe, a move seen as a major step towards strengthening openness and accountability in the planning and delivery of public infrastructure.
The Initiative assesses how transparently infrastructure projects are managed across key stages of the project cycle.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) described the publication as a landmark moment for the sector and the country’s development agenda.
“Today’s event represents a significant milestone, not only for the construction sector, but also for our national development agenda,” said Khonje.
“For infrastructure to truly deliver value, it must be planned, procured, implemented and managed in a manner that is transparent, accountable and inclusive,” added Khonje.
He further said the index provides an evidence-based assessment that outlines progress, identifies gaps and offers recommendations to improve accountability, adding that transparency lies at the heart of CIRA’s mandate.
He said, “We view this index as a vital instrument that complements our efforts to promote good governance, curb waste and corruption and ensure that public investment in infrastructure delivers maximum value for money.”
Africa Regional Manager and Learning Lead for CoST International, Olive Kabatwairwe, said Malawi’s launch was part of a growing global movement to improve governance in infrastructure delivery.
“Delivering quality infrastructure requires more than engineering. It demands openness, reliable data and meaningful citizen engagement,” said Kabatwairwe, noting that Malawi had become the 10th country globally to apply the ITI.
She urged stakeholders to make better use of Malawi’s Construction Data Platform, which tracks over 700 projects.
“Transparency is meaningful only when information is accessible, accurate and actively used by decision-makers, civil society and the citizens,” she said.
Chairperson of CoST Malawi, Engineer Samuel Biton, said the index was the product of collaboration among government, the private sector and civil society.
“This report is not about naming and shaming,” said Biton. “Rather, it is a constructive tool for learning and improvement. It highlights strengths, identifies gaps and presents opportunities for reform.”
He stressed that transparency was a shared responsibility, calling for government leadership, ethical conduct by the private sector and active civic engagement.
“The true value of this index will be determined by what we do after today,” added Biton.
Governance expert Mavuto Bamusi welcomed the report but raised concern over Malawi’s low ITI score of 25.41, linking it to wider governance challenges.
“For now, we must categorise that as a low score,” said Bamusi. “If this were a university exam, Malawi would be sitting for a supplementary.” He warned that corruption and inequality, reflected in other global indices, were undermining infrastructure outcomes.
“If we do not deal with the cancer of corruption, our ITI scores will be stuck below 30 per cent perpetually,” said Bamusi, urging stronger action by institutions, the media and civil society.
The launch concluded with calls for stakeholders to turn the findings into action, using the index to deliver transparent, durable and citizen-centred infrastructure aligned with Malawi 2063.
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