Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are operating illegally in the country have been given up to December 31 this year to meet these legal requirements.
Addressing the media in Lilongwe, NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) chief executive officer Edward Chileka-Banda said there a total of 344 NGOs who are operating without valid licenses, 173 NGOs are functioning without registration certificates and 419 NGOs have failed to submit their annual reports for 2024.
“We recognize the significant role NGOs play in advancing Malawi’s development agenda. The contributions of these organizations. from enhancing healthcare and education to promoting human rights and sustainable development, are invaluable to our society. However, for this impact to be bath meaningful and sustainable. we must ensure that al NGOs operate within the framework of our laws.
“Today, NGORA is issuing a directive to all NGOs operating without registration certificates, valid licenses, or without submitting their required annual reports. As of our most recent assessment, we have identified serious non-compliance issues in the sector including:
“We want to be very clear, these are not mere procedural oversights. When NGOs operate outside the legal framework, it not only compromises their legitimacy but also poses significant risks to national security and societal well-being. Unregulated operations in the NGO sector can expose our communities to threats, including money laundering, theft, terrorist financing, human trafficking. sexual exploitation, and other serious criminal activities,” he said
The NGO (Amendment) Act Section 23 (1) clearly states that it is llegal to operate an NGO without proper registration, whle Section 22 of the Act mandates that all NGOs submit their annual reports to NGORA.
“These provisions are not optional-they are vital measures designed to protect public interest and to promote responsible. fransparent, and accountable operations across the sector.
“To address these serious concerns, NGORA has set a compliance deadline of 31st December for all NGOs that have not met these legal requirements. All NGOs operating without a registration certificate or a valid license, and those who have not submitted their 2024 reports, are directed to fulfill these obligations by this date. Non-compliance will result in enforcement actions, including potential suspension of operations.
“The NGO Act and NGO policy are tools meant to safeguard the welfare of the people of Malawi. As the Regulatory Authority, we are mandated to ensure that every organization abides by these requirements. We urge all NGOs affected by this directive to act swiftly, ensuring they meet all necessary legal and procedural standards by the 31st of December.
“NGORA is committed to working collaboratively with NGOs to facilitate compliance, We encourage organizations to reach out to our offices for guidance and support during this process. We believe that by strengthening the compliance culture within the sector, we will not only enhance public trust but also ensure that the important work being done by NGOs continues to positively impact the lives of our people,” he said
