The World Bank has engaged the Central Internal Audit Unit (CIAU) as one of the implementing partners of Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project which is being coordinated by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).

Under the project, CIAU will assist in building capacity for internal audit functions in Local Councils. Among others, this will involve conducting technical assessment of internal audit functions; reviewing and developing internal audit instruments and training materials; delivering training to Internal Audit staff and council committees; and providing on the job training to Internal Auditors in undertaking their internal audit assignments.

 GESD Project is a new World Bank funded project implemented by NLGFC whose objective is to strengthen core national and local government institutions in order to improve the efficiency, equity and accountability of public resources for devolved services. The project was launched on 16^th April, 2021 at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

Government of Malawi through the Department of Human Resource Development and Development undertook a personnel audit of all public servants on government payroll with an aim of ascertaining bonafide employees. The Central Internal Audit Unit was among the government departments that assisted in planning, executing and supervising the activity. Other departments involved included Ministry of Finance, National Audit Office and National Registration Bureau.

The exercise which commenced in September and ended in December, 2020 is expected to flush out ghost workers from the payroll thereby reducing the wage bill.

 The audit was made possible with financial support from the European Union.

On 28^th April, 2021 twelve Internal Auditors from the Central Internal Audit Unit (CIAU) graduated in various degree programs from the University of Malawi, the Polytechnic. Among the Internal Auditors, one graduated with master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), ten graduated with Bachelor of Commerce in Internal Auditing (BCOMIA) and one graduated with bachelor’s degree in Accountancy (BAC). The ten Internal Auditors who graduated with BCOMIA were financially supported by GIZ, while the two officers were self-sponsored. 

 The Director of CIAU believes that the milestones were attained based on years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, and congratulates the officers.

 The CIAU will continue to train Internal Auditors in line with its training needs assessment as outlined in the strategic plan for 2016 to 2021.   

On 19^th March, 2020 aninternal audit team from Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) visited the Central Internal Audit Unit (CIAU)for a benchmarking exercise of the two internal audit functions. The exercise was initiated by EGENCO in a bid to learn and share leading practice in internal auditing from Central Government.

Key areas of the benchmarking exercise included the development and use of internal audit policy documents such as the newly reviewed Internal Audit Manual, the Government Internal Audit Charter, the Audit Committee Charter and the Internal Audit Service Strategic Plan (2016/2021). The team also appreciated CIAU’s efforts in modernising Government Internal Auditing through use of audit management software, data analytics tools and continuous auditing of Government’s financial transactions. The team was also briefed on the structure of internal auditing function in Government, its interaction with key stakeholders including independent audit committees.

 The benchmarking exercise provided useful insights to both internal audit functions in realizing leading practices in their respective functions.