A high-level Zambian legal delegation, led by Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri, is currently in Ireland to enhance the country’s legal framework in tackling financial and economic crimes.
The delegation also includes the heads of Zambia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), highlighting the country’s all-hands-on-deck approach to reforming and reinforcing its anti-corruption and financial crimes systems.
According to a statement issued by Ministry of Justice Principal Public Relations Officer Joe Nkadaani, the visit is aimed at engaging Irish legal professionals—including prosecutors and judicial representatives—to learn from Ireland’s proven strategies in handling corruption, complex financial crime investigations, prosecutions, and asset recovery processes.
“The engagement will include learning about Ireland’s approach to corruption, financial crimes investigations, prosecution and asset recovery mechanisms,” Nkadaani said.
Attorney General Kabesha underscored the importance of the visit, describing it as a key milestone in Zambia’s ongoing efforts to combat financial misconduct. He emphasized that the mission reflects Zambia’s commitment to justice, transparency, and good governance.
“This visit highlights Zambia’s dedication to ensuring that financial crimes are addressed fairly, justly, and expeditiously,” Kabesha stated.
The delegation is expected to interact with various institutions involved in Ireland’s justice delivery system, including anti-corruption bodies, financial intelligence units, and judicial authorities. Discussions will focus on best practices in legislative reform, inter-agency cooperation, international collaboration, and asset forfeiture frameworks.
Zambia’s increasing efforts to strengthen its anti-corruption institutions and laws come at a time when public demand for accountability and good governance is at an all-time high. The government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and pledged to ensure that all institutions handling financial crimes are well-equipped and legally empowered to act decisively.
The outcomes of this international engagement are expected to inform policy and legislative updates back home, with the goal of building a more robust, transparent, and effective system for preventing and prosecuting economic crimes in Zambia.