Lusaka, Zambia – The Zambia Compulsory Standard Agency (ZCSA) has earned national recognition after its Integrity Committee (IC) was ranked 10th out of 270 Integrity Committees assessed across the country by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2025.
The announcement was made today in Lusaka during the 2025 Chief Executive Officers Forum, organized by the ACC and held under the theme “Fostering a Culture of Integrity: Setting the Tone from the Top.” The forum brought together senior government officials and heads of institutions to reflect on the importance of ethical leadership and accountability in public service.
ZCSA Executive Director Mr. Gerald Chizinga received the award on behalf of the Agency. He was accompanied by Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary (Commerce and Trade), Mrs. Lillian Bwalya, as well as ZCSA Integrity Committee Chairperson Mr. Elias Kansembe and Committee Member Ms. Jessica Mwanza.
Speaking during the official opening of the forum, Secretary to the Cabinet Mr. Patrick Kangwa, represented by his Deputy Dr. Oliver Kalabo, emphasized that Zambia’s Integrity Committee Programme is a vital instrument in the government’s firm zero-tolerance policy on corruption and unethical conduct.
Mr. Kangwa noted that the success of the programme depends on strong leadership and commitment from senior officials across all institutions.
“The success of this programme requires the full support of every Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. It is no longer acceptable to merely delegate the responsibility of integrity. We must ensure that our own transactions, procurements, recruitment processes, and day-to-day decision-making are beyond reproach,” he said.
ZCSA’s impressive ranking reflects years of deliberate effort to promote ethical conduct within the Agency. The Integrity Committee was established in 2018 with the aim of preventing corruption and other related malpractices.
Since its establishment, ZCSA has developed and implemented several governance and ethics policies, including a Gift Policy, Complaint Handling Procedure, Code of Ethics, and a Whistleblower Policy. These frameworks guide employees on acceptable conduct and strengthen accountability within the institution.
In addition, the Agency consistently develops annual corruption prevention action plans, which outline specific activities aimed at combating unethical behavior and fostering transparency.
The recognition places ZCSA among the top-performing public institutions in integrity management, underscoring its commitment to good governance and ethical leadership. Stakeholders have hailed the achievement as a positive example of how strong internal systems and leadership commitment can contribute to national efforts against corruption.
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