Improving Transparency and Accountability in Local Revenue Mobilisation, Use and Management in Balaka District

On 6th March 2020, Tilitonse Foundation attended District Executive Committee meeting where Nkhadze Youth Alive Youth Organisation was making an exit presentation of its project, ‘Improving Transparency and Accountability in Local Revenue Mobilisation, Use and Management in Balaka District’. The project was supported with funding from Tilitonse Foundation amounting to K92,000,000.00 for a period of 13 months. Key highlights are as follows:
1. Reach out was 18 markets in the district
2. Market fees collection jumped from K45mn in 2018 to K83mn in 2019
3. Total local revenue jumped from K85mn between 2016 and 2018 to Over K170mn in 2019
4. Market structures were revamped and capacitated in all 18 markets and are functional
5. Transparency boards have been mounted in all 18 markets and market fees collections are displayed
6. Vendors are happy to pay market fees because of the now visible benefits like market sanitation
7. Balaka District Council is able to meet its obligations with relative ease having wiped out most of the arrears
8. The project lessons offer unique insights on local revenue generation and use. There is potential that the model can be scaled up in all Councils

Improving Transparency and Accountability in Local Revenue Mobilisation, Use and Management in Balaka District