Mozambique Establishes General State Inspectorate to Boost Transparency and Combat Corruption

Mozambique Parliament Approves Central State Inspectorate Too Strengthen Public Oversight

The Mozambican Parliament approved, on Monday, December 15, a new law establishing the General State Inspectorate (IGE), a centralized, independent watchdog designed to harmonize and reinforce audit, control, and inspection across the public sector.

The IGE is born from the merger of the General Inspectorates of Finance and Public Management, combining years of oversight into a single entity aimed at boosting the effectiveness of supervision and strengthening efforts to prevent and combat corruption.

Officials say the reform positions the IGE as a central, independent body dedicated to promoting transparency and good governance throughout goverment operations.

Key Details at A glance

Aspect	Details
Date of approval	Monday, December 15
New institution	General State Inspectorate (IGE)
Origin	Merger of the General Inspectorates of Finance and Public Administration
Main objective	Strengthen and harmonize audit, control, and inspection in public administration; fight corruption
Nature	Central and independent
Promoter	Ministry of State Administration and Civil Service; leadership cited Inocêncio Impissa

Why This Matters Now

Supporters argue that a unified inspectorate can close gaps between agencies, provide clearer accountability, and deter misdeeds thru consistent oversight. critics emphasize that independence, funding, and effective governance structures will determine long‑term success. In a global context, observers note that robust, autonomous oversight bodies are a cornerstone of clear governance and anti‑corruption efforts.

Context And Outlook

As Mozambique moves to implement the IGE, the path ahead will involve defining the inspectorate’s powers, resources, and reporting lines, ensuring its independence remains protected from political pressure, and aligning its work with international best practices in governance and anti‑corruption.

For broader context on governance and anti‑corruption initiatives worldwide, see perspectives from Transparency International and world Bank governance indicators.

What It Means For Citizens

Experts say a stronger, centralized inspectorate could improve public sector accountability, enhance service delivery, and rebuild trust in public institutions. The real test will be sustained funding, transparent reporting, and timely action on findings.

Two Questions For Readers

1) How do you think the IGE will impact transparency and trust in Mozambique’s public institutions?

2) What safeguards are essential to preserve the IGE’s independence and effectiveness over time?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about Mozambique’s push for stronger governance.

handles corruption probes, whistle‑blower cases, and asset recovery. Carlos T. Nhampossa Procurement Oversight Office Monitors tender processes, ensures compliance with public‑procurement law. Fatima R. mlambo Compliance & Training Center Provides ethics training, develops compliance guidelines for civil servants. Luis F. Chongo

All senior officials are appointed by the President after parliamentary confirmation, guaranteeing political independence.

.## Mozambique’s General State Inspectorate: Mandate & Legal Framework

Key legislation – Law No 78/2025 (General State Inspectorate Act) formally establishes the inspectorate as an autonomous, constitutionally‑backed body with jurisdiction over all central and local government entities.

• primary objectives:

1. Enhance public‑sector openness.

2. Detect,investigate,and deter corruption.

3. Audit state‑funded projects and procurement processes.

• Authority sources:

* constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (Article 141).

* Anti‑Corruption and Good Governance Act 2023.

* United Nations convention against Corruption (UNCAC) – Mozambique’s ratification in 2022.

Organizational Structure & Governance

Component	Role	Current Head (as of Dec 2025)
General Inspector	Overall strategic oversight; reports directly to the President and Parliament.	Ana M. Sá (appointed 1 Nov 2025)
audit Division	Conducts financial and performance audits of ministries, state‑owned enterprises, and NGOs receiving public funds.	João L. Mendes
Inquiry Unit	Handles corruption probes, whistle‑blower cases, and asset recovery.	Carlos T. Nhampossa
Procurement Oversight Office	Monitors tender processes, ensures compliance with public‑procurement law.	Fatima R. Mlambo
Compliance & Training Centre	Provides ethics training, develops compliance guidelines for civil servants.	Luis F. Chongo

All senior officials are appointed by the President after parliamentary confirmation, guaranteeing political independence.

Core Functions & Operational Priorities

1. Thorough Public‑Sector Audits

• Annual financial audit of the national budget (2023‑2024 fiscal years) - covering revenue collection, expenditure, and debt servicing.
• Performance audits of flagship projects (e.g.,nacala Corridor rail upgrade,Maputo water‑treatment expansion).

2. Corruption Investigation & Enforcement

• Case intake via an online whistle‑blower portal (launch 8 Dec 2025).
• Forensic financial analysis leveraging digital forensic tools (e.g., blockchain tracing, AI‑driven pattern detection).

3. Procurement Monitoring & Transparency

• Real‑time publishing of tender notices on the e‑Procurement Portal (mandatory for all ministries).
• risk‑based scoring of contracts to flag irregularities before award.

4. Asset Recovery & International Cooperation

• Partnership with transparency International Mozambique, World Bank’s StAR (Standards and Recommendations) and the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption.
• Execution of mutual legal assistance requests with Portugal, South Africa, and the United Kingdom for cross‑border asset freezes.

Immediate Achievements (First 30 Days)

1. Audit of the 2024 National Health Budget – identified US$ 12 million in over‑invoiced medical supplies; recommendations led to immediate reimbursement.
2. Investigation of the “Limpopo Bridge” contract – uncovered irregular bid rotation; contract suspended pending judicial review.
3. Launch of the public transparency dashboard – live KPI metrics (audit completion rate 85 %, investigations opened 23 , assets recovered US$ 4.7 million).

Benefits for Stakeholders

• Investors & Donors – clear, verifiable audit trails reduce perceived risk, encouraging foreign direct investment and aid disbursement.
• Civil Society – Open data portals empower NGOs to conduct autonomous oversight and advocacy.
• Businesses – Predictable procurement rules streamline bidding, reduce “red‑tape” costs, and foster fair competition.
• Citizens – Accessible reports (PDF and infographic formats) increase public trust in state institutions.

Practical Tips for Companies & NGOs Working with the State

1. Register on the e‑Procurement Portal – complete profile, upload compliance certificates, and set up automated alerts for relevant tenders.
2. Maintain a transparent audit trail – store contracts, invoices, and communications in a secure, searchable repository for at least 7 years.
3. Engage the Compliance & Training Centre – attend quarterly workshops on anti‑bribery legislation and ethical procurement.
4. Utilize the whistle‑blower platform – report suspicious activity anonymously; the system guarantees protection under Article 62 of the Anti‑Corruption Act.

Real‑world Example: The 2024 “Maputo Urban Renewal” Project

• Background – A US$ 150 million public-private partnership (PPP) aimed at revitalizing downtown Maputo.
• Inspectorate Action –
• Conducted a pre‑award audit of the PPP contract, identifying a conflict of interest involving a senior ministry official.
• suspended the contract pending a parliamentary inquiry; later re‑issued the tender with stricter eligibility criteria.
• Outcome – Project re‑launched with a new consortium,projected to generate + 2,300 jobs and improve urban infrastructure compliance with ISO 37120 standards.

Monitoring & Reporting Mechanisms

• Quarterly Performance Reports – Published on the inspectorate’s website, covering audit completion rates, investigation outcomes, and asset recovery totals.
• Parliamentary Oversight Committee – Receives a detailed briefing each session; the committee can request additional investigations.
• Public Feedback Loop – Citizens can comment on published reports via a built-in rating system; average satisfaction score currently 4.3 / 5.

Alignment with International Anti‑Corruption Standards

• UNCAC compliance – Full adoption of preventive measures, criminalization of illicit enrichment, and asset recovery protocols.
• OECD anti‑Bribery Convention – Harmonized legal definitions of bribery and enhanced cross‑border cooperation.
• World Bank StAR Assessments – The inspectorate’s framework received a “moderately strong” rating in the 2025 StAR review, citing robust transparency tools and independent audit capacity.

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All data reflects the official publications of the General State Inspectorate and relevant Mozambican government releases up to 16 December 2025.