Parliament has called on the NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) to tighten oversight of international non‑governmental organisations operating in Malawi, saying stronger regulation is needed to ensure that about K1.1 trillion in donor funds delivers results that improve the lives of ordinary Malawians.

The call was made on Tuesday by Francesca Masamba, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations, during a session with NGORA officials to assess the regulator’s mandate and the state of NGO operations in the country.

Masamba said Parliament’s oversight role is anchored in Standing Order 151, which charges lawmakers with monitoring the activities of international organisations in Malawi.

“Our mandate is clear — we must ensure that organisations operating here comply with the law and contribute positively to national development,” Masamba said. “Today, we wanted to establish the status quo and understand how many international NGOs are active in the country.”

She revealed that Malawi currently hosts 283 international NGOs, and stressed that full compliance with legal and reporting requirements would enable the sector to make a stronger impact on development outcomes.

“If everything is happening according to the regulations, then Malawi is good to go on development,” she said, adding that Parliament will also lobby for more organisations to support Malawi’s development agenda.

NGORA Chief Executive Officer Felix Lombe said NGOs have, over the past two decades, evolved into influential actors not only in development work but also in global governance and diplomacy.

“State parties at the international level are no longer dealing only with other states; they equally interact with non‑state actors such as NGOs,” Lombe said. “These organisations submit parallel reports on human rights issues and contribute to climate change negotiations, reflecting their growing global role.”

Lombe said the K1.1 trillion being channelled into Malawi by international NGOs could be transformative if aligned with national priorities and implemented transparently.

“This amount is significant, and if properly managed and supported by strong accountability mechanisms, it can make a real difference for Malawians,” he said.

However, he acknowledged continuing challenges with compliance, including licensing and reporting gaps that have seen many organisations operate without valid credentials. NGORA’s mandate under the NGO (Amendment) Act of 2022 includes registering and regulating all NGOs and enforcing compliance, including through possible licence withdrawal or deregistration for persistent non‑compliance. 

The authority has issued public ultimatums to non‑compliant NGOs, warning that failure to meet legal requirements could lead to deregistration and restrictions on operations. 

Civil society voices have also weighed in on regulation. Rights actors such as the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) have long played a role in promoting democracy, governance and human rights advocacy in the country, underscoring the need for a well‑regulated NGO sector that complements state efforts and protects public interest.