Mission

Drive reforms to reduce mismanagement, inefficiency, corruption, and risks in infrastructure projects in Malawi

Goals

CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative is the leading global initiative improving transparency and accountability in public infrastructure.

CoST promotes the disclosure of infrastructure project data. It validates and makes this data easy to understand through an assurance process and ensures this information reaches citizens. This helps to empower citizens to demand better infrastructure and hold decision makers to account.

Stakeholders

CoST Malawi is steered by representatives from government, the private sector and the civil society. Together, theyform the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) for CoST Malawi.

The current membership includes:

• Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN)
• Malawi Building and Civil-Engineering Allied Traders Association (MABCATA)
• Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC)
• Business Action Against Corruption (BACC)
• African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC)
• Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)
• Office of the Director of Public Procurement (ODPP)
• Buildings Department
• Department of Statutory Corporations
• Council for Non-Governmental Organizations of Malawi (CONGOMA)
• National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank field offices participate in the MSG as observers and the initiative is hosted by National Construction Industry Council (NCIC).

CoST Malawi participates in the Basel Institute's Collective Action Mentoring Programme.

Activities

The Malawi chapter of CoST has focused on developing innovative platforms that allow citizens to raise their concerns and engage with key stakeholders on issues of transparency in public procurement projects (including a toll-free SMS service). CoST Malawi has also been actively involved in the review and passing of a new Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act in 2017.