TI-Z decries paltry funding to ACC
By Tony Nkhoma
A POORLY funded law enforcement agency (LEA) is a risk and cannot effective fight corruption in the country, Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has said.
TIZ executive director Maurice Nyambe said his organisation was deeply concerned that the 2026 national budget allocation to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) remained inadequate to meet its operational and strategic needs.
“A strong, independent and financially empowered ACC is cardinal to the protection of public resources and the rebuilding of citizens’ trust in institutions of governance,” Nyambe said.
The ACC has been allocated K199.96 million in 2026, reflecting an 11.1 per cent increase from 2025.
Nyambe said while this appears positive, the increase fell short of the current inflation rate of 12.3 per cent, meaning the commission’s buying power was actually shrinking.
“TI-Z has reviewed the 2026 national budget allocation to the Anti-Corruption Commission and notes with concern that although there has been an upward adjustment, the allocation remains inadequate to meet the commission’s operational and strategic needs,” Nyambe said.
In a statement seen by The Mast, Nyambe expressed worry that 65.9 per cent of the allocation would be absorbed by personal emoluments.
He said this left limited resources for investigations, prosecutions and preventive work.
“The ACC’s own recent performance data illustrates why this matters. Between 2021 and June 2025, the commission recorded arrests, convictions and significant asset recoveries. This was a clear demonstration of what is possible when investigations are pursued effectively and supported with resources,” Nyambe said.
He said the success contrasts with years where conviction rates and forfeitures were much lower, highlighting the inconsistency caused by under-funding and capacity gaps.
Nyambe was worried that planned public education activities had dropped from 202 in 2025 to just 60 in 2026.
“This is a major step backwards given that lasting success in the fight against corruption depends not only on arrests and prosecutions but also on fostering a culture of integrity among citizens,” Nyambe said.
He has called for budget allocations that matched or exceeded inflation to safeguard the ACC’s operational capacity.
“Greater investment in investigations, prosecutions, and asset recovery so that more arrests translate into convictions and deterrence,” Nyambe said.
He said restoration and expansion of public education programmes was key in building a long-term citizen resilience against corruption.
Nyambe called for stronger collaboration between the ACC and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that cases are concluded efficiently and without duplication.
“The lesson from 2024 is clear. When adequately supported, the ACC can deliver meaningful results, both in convictions and in recovering public resources,” Nyambe said.
He said Zambians expected the highest level of performance every year, not occasionally.
“For that to happen, the commission (ACC) must be resourced, empowered and shielded from political interference.”
