Kawana: Zambia Cannot Attract Investment If Institutions Fail to Earn Trust

Livingstone, September 29, 2026. Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana says Zambia cannot attract or sustain development if its institutions fail to inspire trust. He spoke at the 2026 Governance Forum and Annual Internal Audit Conference, hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors in Livingstone. Mr Kawana said strong governance and accountability are essential to the country's growth. He argued that investment does not flow where governance is weak, and that development does not flourish where accountability is absent. He urged public and private sector leaders to put integrity at the centre of their decisions. He said citizens expect transparent institutions that deliver results and use public resources responsibly. He also asked leaders to respond openly when new facts emerge, adding that credibility comes from integrity and a willingness to be held accountable. Mr Kawana said internal auditors have a growing role in helping organisations identify risks before they become crises. He said that even as artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools change how institutions work, ethical leadership remains vital, and that no technology can replace character or integrity. Institute of Internal Auditors Zambia president Lubinda Namiluko called for a new era of strategic assurance to strengthen governance and help institutions respond to emerging risks. The message is fair, but it lands on a government that has its own accountability record to defend. The strongest test of Mr Kawana's argument is whether public institutions respond openly when new facts emerge against them.