National NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Malawi’s civil society sector by prioritising support and capacity-building over punitive measures.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing announcing the 2025 NGO Governance and Compliance Leadership Summit set for December, NGORA Chief Executive Officer Felix Lombe said the Authority aims to help organisations improve governance and compliance systems rather than penalise them.
Lombe said Malawi’s development landscape is rapidly transforming, with increasing needs in health, education, food security, climate resilience, and economic inclusion.
He stressed that NGOs remain vital contributors to national progress, but many continue to face serious governance and compliance hurdles.
According to NGORA, current compliance trends show that only 61 per cent of registered NGOs meet annual reporting requirements, while fewer than 60 per cent operate with valid licences.
Lombe described the figures as “worrisome but solvable” if organisations receive the right support.
“Our goal is not to shut doors or punish NGOs,” Lombe emphasised. “We want to build a sector that is credible, transparent, and capable of delivering meaningful impact. Compliance should be seen as an enabler, not a hammer.”
He added that the upcoming summit will convene NGO leaders, regulators, development partners, and governance experts to address recurring sector challenges.
Key among them are weak Board structures, poor succession planning, gaps in financial management, and limited knowledge of legal obligations.
The 2025 summit is expected to chart a path toward stronger accountability, sector professionalism, and improved collaboration between NGOs and regulatory bodies.
