From Training to Action: Strengthening Public Construction Audits in Zambia

In July 2023, Mr. Emmanuel Nyalazi participated in a specialized training program in Japan under the JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Program. The course focused on auditing public construction works and provided practical insights into systems used by the Board of Audit of Japan.

Through the program, Mr. Nyalazi gained a deeper understanding of how Japan ensures accountability in infrastructure development. Key lessons included the importance of institutional independence, the integration of engineering expertise in audit teams, and the application of performance-based audits that assess not only compliance, but also economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Inspired by these practices, Mr. Nyalazi developed an action plan aimed at strengthening the audit of public construction works in Zambia. His proposals focus on enhancing the independence of the Office of the Auditor General, expanding technical capacity by incorporating engineers into audit processes, and adopting more comprehensive audit approaches that evaluate project outcomes and value for money.

Importantly, JICA extended its support beyond training by sponsoring the implementation of Mr. Nyalazi’s action plan, funding the necessary requirements to help translate knowledge into practice. This support underscores JICA’s commitment to ensuring that capacity-building initiatives lead to tangible, sustainable impact.

Mr. Nyalazi’s journey demonstrates how international cooperation and knowledge sharing can drive institutional improvement. By applying lessons learned in Japan, Zambia is taking important steps toward more effective oversight of public infrastructure and improved service delivery for its citizens.