The National Prosecution Authority and Interagency Coordination and Cooperation Framework, with the support of the Basel Institute on Governance’s International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR), successfully trained and certified five individuals, including the NPA’s very own Mr. Sipholiano Phiri, Acting Senior State Advocate, Mr. Hastings Sichone, Senior Public Prosecutor, and Mr. Darlington Mukelelabo, Senior Public Prosecutor, as trainers in Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery through a “Train-The-Trainer” program conducted by ICAR. This extensive training commenced in Lusaka on April 22, 2024 and concluded on 7th March, 2025.
The achievement from our able Prosecutors reflects the commitment of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) to strengthen its capacity in financial crime investigation and asset recovery.
The five ICAR trainers were selected from a group of 25 participants representing 10 institutions. They underwent a series of training and mentorship sessions by ICAR experts across five workshops, gradually building their skills and knowledge. Their training journey culminated in independently delivering the final two workshops of the program.
Under the leadership of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert Phiri S.C., the Interagency Coordination and Cooperation Framework has successfully trained 119 participants, including the trainers, from 10 institutions in Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery. Among the trained participants were Magistrates from the Economic and Financial Crimes Courts, Prosecutors, Investigators, and Financial Intelligence Officers. Notably, almost half of the participants, 49 in total, were women, promoting gender equality in the fight against financial crimes.
The program employed ICAR’s “learning by doing” methodology, which combines in-person and technology-powered delivery methods. The certified trainers are now equipped to utilize the customized online platform, Zambia LEARN, to deliver training nationwide. Participants will gain crucial skills such as Financial Analysis using Excel, Financial Investigations Approaches, Money Laundering, Elements of the Crime, Asset Recovery Mechanisms, Electronic Evidence Gathering, Indirect Methods of Proving Illegal Income, Mutual Legal Assistance, and Asset Tracing.
Mr. Gilbert Phiri S.C. praised ICAR’s sustainable approach, describing this achievement as a proud moment for Zambia. The certified ICAR trainers are now prepared to deliver high-impact training to judicial officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement agents across the nation. This accomplishment not only boosts Zambia’s capacity to investigate financial crimes and confiscate illicit assets but also showcases the country’s dedication to combating corruption and international crimes while building a skilled local cadre of experts in Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery.
