NGORA urges NGOs to meet legal compliance requirements

The Non-Governmental Organizations Regulatory Authority (NGORA) has urged NGOs operating in Malawi to comply with legal requirements by submitting their reports and obtaining valid licenses before the March 31, 2025 deadline.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Tuesday, NGORA Chief Executive Officer, Edward Chileka Banda, emphasized the critical role NGOs play in national development.

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He noted that while NGOs contribute significantly to healthcare, education, human rights, and sustainable development, compliance with legal frameworks is essential for transparency and accountability.

“We recognize the significant role NGOs play in advancing Malawi’s development agenda. However, for this impact to be both meaningful and sustainable, we must ensure that all NGOs operate within the framework of our laws, ensuring transparency and accountability,” Banda said.

Banda warned that NGOs failing to meet legal requirements would be restricted from accessing district councils’ and banks’ services.

He stressed that NGOs are legal entities, and institutions such as banks, immigration offices, and councils have the right to request valid registration and licensing documents before providing services.

“The only key identity for such NGOs is a registration certificate as well as a license. So, for a bank as a service provider, councils, even immigration to assist them, the NGOs, for them to identify that this is indeed an NGO legally operating in Malawi, they will not be mistaken to ask for a license or a registration certificate,” he stated.

Banda said NGORA has the authority to impose fines on non-compliant NGOs and may take them to court for further legal penalties.

However, Banda emphasized that legal action is a last resort, and the organization is prioritizing engagement to encourage compliance.

Following a public notice issued in November 2024, Banda reported that 55 NGOs registered with NGORA, 55 NGOs submitted their reports, 11 NGOs renewed their licenses.

Despite this progress, out of the 1,132 registered NGOs in Malawi, only 553 have submitted their required reports, including technical and financial audit statements.

Additionally, by the end of 2024, only 649 organizations held valid licenses, with just 167 NGOs meeting the licensing requirements for 2025.

“We want NGOs to operate transparently, ensuring that public funds and resources are used responsibly. We have received complaints from various stakeholders, including communities, about some NGOs lacking transparency and accountability. There have been cases where organizations have been reported for misusing funds meant for community development, which undermines the trust and support they receive,” he explained.

Banda disclosed that the total reported income for the NGO sector in 2024 amounted to K734 billion, highlighting the sector’s financial significance.

To enhance transparency, NGORA plans to publish the names of all legally operating NGOs in newspapers to inform the public about compliant organizations.