The cost of numerous prominent auctions and infrastructure projects in Zambia was inflated by corruption, according to the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday (Jan. 10).
An IMF interdepartmental Governance Diagnostic Assessment mission performed a study last year on governance flaws and corruption vulnerabilities at the request of local authorities.
The evaluation found significant weaknesses in every state function. However, those with a specific macroeconomic influence were discovered in fields like public financial management and awarding and administering mining industry contracts.
“For instance, enormous financial resources invested in infrastructure projects, such as road construction, provided avenues for corruption, especially in the award of tenders, where political connections allowed members of the elite to bend the rules and access to lucrative contracts”, the 96-page report read.
According to the IMF diagnosis, from 2016 to 2021 saw a very high level of institutionalisation of corruption.
When he was elected two years ago, Zambia’s current president swore to have “zero tolerance” for corruption.
Those in his predecessor’s government were Hakainde Hichilema’s first targets.
However, many arrests resulted in bail, with the accused disputing the charges.
