By Pickson Chipeso & Pempho Kantayeni

Lilongwe, November 6, Mana: The Non-Governmental Organisation Regulatory Authority (NGORA) has reminded NGOs to observe laws and have themselves registered saying operating without a registration certificate is illegal.

Speaking Wednesday during a press briefing at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, NGORA Chief Executive Officer, Edward Chileka Banda, said NGOs need to register before starting operations in Malawi.

The directive is a follow up to the public notice and several communications that NGORA made.

Banda said the call is meant to protect the community and NGOs from being involved or targeted by risk activities, hence the need to ensure that NGOs are operating legally in the country.

He said once NGOs are registered, it is required of them to submit annual reports to the Authority.

“So, by not registering and not submitting reports, it becomes hard for Government to ascertain accountability and transparency and sometimes it may be difficult to monitor operations of NGOs and ensure that they do not cause any harm to communities.

“These reports are meant to appreciate NGO activities, their impact on society and any challenges they may face so that government should create an enabling environment for them to conduct their operations,” he said.

According to Banda, about 344 NGOs are operating without valid licenses, 173 without registration certificates while 419 have failed to submit their annual reports.

NGORA has set a compliance deadline of December 31, 2024 for all NGOs that have not met the legal requirements.

Non-compliance will result in enforcement actions, including potential suspension of operations.