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Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has called for stronger integrity and anti-corruption measures across all sectors, warning that legislation and institutions alone were insufficient to curb corruption without consistent enforcement, adequate resources and political will.
In a statement issued on Saturday to mark the 2026 Africa Anti-Corruption Day, TI-Z Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe, said this year’s African Union theme, “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa,” comes at a time when corruption continues to undermine development, weaken democratic institutions and erode public trust despite progress made in establishing anti-corruption laws and institutions.
Nyambe said integrity should be the foundation of accountable governance, requiring honesty, transparency, fairness and respect for the rule of law in the management of public resources.
“Promoting integrity means creating systems that reward ethical conduct, sanction corruption consistently and build public confidence in State institutions,” he said.
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Nyambe said the responsibility of fighting corruption should not be left to law enforcement agencies alone but should involve Government institutions, the private sector, political parties, civil society organisations, traditional and faith leaders, the media, academia and ordinary citizens.
He acknowledged that Zambia had strengthened its legal and institutional framework for combating corruption but stressed that meaningful progress depended on impartial implementation of anti-corruption laws.
“Anti-corruption efforts must be applied fairly, transparently and without fear or favour if they are to inspire public confidence and achieve lasting impact,” he said.
Mr Nyambe said the promotion of integrity was particularly important as Zambia prepares for the 2026 General Election, noting that electoral integrity, transparent campaign financing, responsible political leadership and the impartial use of public resources are critical to maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
He said elections should strengthen, rather than undermine, citizens’ trust in governance.
Nyambe also urged greater emphasis on preventing corruption by strengthening systems that reduced opportunities for abuse before they occurred.
He cited open governance, digital transparency, access to information, robust public procurement systems, effective oversight institutions and greater citizen participation in decision-making as key measures that could help prevent corruption.
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