This Strategic Plan outlines the Anti-Corruption Commission’s roadmap for 2026–2030, setting out key priorities and strategies to guide all functions of the Commission in fulfilling its mandate to combat corruption. The Commission operates under the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives (2008) and the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (2008), with its mandate further strengthened by subsequent legislative developments, including the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and Rules of Evidence. Amendments to these laws expanded the Commission’s responsibilities to cover additional corruption-related offences, including election-related bribery. The Plan identifies priority thematic areas based on stakeholder consultations, complaint trends, and oversight gaps. By focusing on selected corruption risks and integrating them across prevention and investigation efforts, the Commission aims to maximize the effective use of resources and achieve meaningful impact during the plan period.

Recruiting the right people, developing skills where needed and creating an enabling environment, that encourages staff retention. Strategies for improving internal governance processes and integrity of the commission are addressed.

Objective (PA1.O1): Utilize competency-based recruitment assessments and strengthen recruitment-stage practices to reduce staff turnover risks.

Objective (PA1.O2): Work with relevant authorities to offer competitive salary structure with compensation for managerial positions

Objective (PA1.O3): Implement competency-based performance assessments, linked with structured career pathways in all departments.

Objective (PA1.O4): Expand systemic training programs for all departments, based on a common competency framework, catering to emerging corruption trends.

Objective (PA1.O5): Provide all personnel with mandatory core skills and knowledge training

Objective (PA1.O6): Build a comprehensive digital platform in a phased manner, accompanied by training to create a digital-first mindset. 

Objective (PA1.O7): Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate ACC into intelligence and document sharing networks

Objective (PA1.O8): Review grievance policy to encourage formal feedback with due action. Conduct staff satisfaction surveys and implement final recommendations.

Objective (PA1.O9): Operationalize and expand the Trust Fund through partnerships with national and international stakeholders to support key institutional activities

Objective (PA1.10): Advocate for purpose-built or appropriate government premises with improved physical security and data storage

Objective (PA1.11): Strengthen international cooperation and peer engagement to inform program design, implementation and institutional practices

Objective (PA1.12): Establish clear communication channels with optimal decision-making hierarchy to increase efficiency

The Commission will plan to improve processes to increase impact and carry out evidence-based programs.

Objective (PA2.O1): Periodic review of all SOPs with internal input and external partner feedback

Objective (PA2.O2): Monitor and report on compliance with all approved SOPs and policies

Objective (PA2.O3): Enhance case-quality checklists to cover administrative requirements and best practices to increase prospects for conviction.

Objective (PA2.O4): Enhance public awareness, with clear and inclusive messaging, on corruption offences and all reporting pathways for corruption-related offences.

Objective (PA2.O5): Conduct annual review of overall organizational efficiency using Key Performance Indicators developed for each section and for organization as a whole.

Objective (PA2.O6): Design programs and activities based on findings from evaluations of similar programs implemented by ACC and partners.

Objective (PA2.O7): Embed prevention as a core function in all sections, supported by capacity building, so that corruption risks are routinely identified, prioritized and addressed, in a systematic manner.

Objective (PA2.O8): Engage with international anti-corruption bodies and peer institutions to exchange good practices and apply relevant lessons in ACC programs and operations.

Objective (PA2.O9): Maintain timely communications with complainants that demonstrate integrity and effort

Objective (PA1.10): Implement a targeted and systematic approach to resolve aged and pending cases, in a transparent manner

Objective (PA1.11): Improve quality and impact of recommendations by ensuring clarity and practicality, and the use of transparency follow-up mechanisms that support preventive action.  

Objective (PA1.12): Significantly reduce number of aged cases, and pending cases, with intent to reduce likelihood of future backlog.

The Commission aims to work with partners to close gaps in legislation and procedures and improve joint operations and activities. Sustainable progress against corruption requires coordinated efforts across all relevant institutions. 


Objective (PA3.O1): Strengthen efforts to identify legislative gaps and propose amendments to improve legislative framework for deterrence, fraud detection, investigation and prosecution

Objective (PA3.O2): Proactive public disclosure of success stories, information on trends, case updates and internal processes, utilizing different platforms aligned to different population groups.

Objective (PA3.O3): Strengthen MNACA based on a structured strategic framework, to deliver high-quality training programs to address state-wide training needs

Objective (PA3.O4): Implement and advocate for tools to increase accountability, increase compliance to ACC recommendations, and reduce risk.

Objective (PA3.O5): Review state institutions on basis of corruption-risk and develop targeted programs for different risk categories

Objective (PA3.O6): Coordinate efforts to improve CPI ratings of Maldives through reinforced institutional credibility and demonstrate measurable commitment to transparency and accountability

Objective (PA3.O7): Enhance structured, proactive and transparent media engagement, and prioritize informed reporting on corruption and integrity issues.

Combines improvements in integrity and oversight in both public procurement and SOE operations, where systemic governance issues have become increasingly evident.

Objective (PA4.O1): Work with key partners to roll out training and awareness campaigns on corruption risks in procurement frameworks.

Objective (PA4.O2): Awareness programs are carried out in both English and Dhivehi, using mixed platforms, considering accessibility challenges.

Objective (PA4.O3): Facilitate regular discussions with regulatory bodies to review concluded cases and identify legislative gaps.

Objective (PA4.O4): Periodic public disclosure of anonymized summary of completed cases related to SOEs and public procurement. 

Objective (PA4.O5): Targeted capacity building of regulatory bodies through MNACA and other opportunities

Objective (PA4.O6): Advocate for and encourage SOEs to set high integrity standards in operations.

Objective (PA4.O7): Collaborate with relevant institutions to assess corruption vulnerabilities in high-risk SOEs and promote integrity through a structured recognition program

Targets to improve systemic political corruption through advocating for reforms for fair electoral practices, recruitment, transparent political financing, to achieve public confidence in state institutions.

Objective (PA5.O1): Assign a dedicated team within ACC to monitor electoral activities, to enable early detection of electoral bribery and to review complaints transparently and promptly.

Objective (PA5.O2): Collaborate with relevant organizations (local, international, state or non-state) for investigation and awareness during elections, with a schedule of activities covering pre-, during and post elections.

Objective (PA5.O3): Support the legal review, amendment and multi-level advocacy to strengthen political financing regulations.

Objective (PA5.O4): Develop risk-based intelligence tools and red-flag systems to identify early indicators of high-level corruption and emerging political integrity risks.

Objective (PA5.O5): Work with Whistle Blowing Unit to strengthen whistleblower protection across all state institutions.

Objective (PA5.O6): Enhance Mutual Legal Agreements to pursue high-level corruption cases effectively

Objective (PA5.O7): Advocate for recovery of misused public funds and contribute to strengthening the national capacity for asset recovery

Broad objectives are identified for each priority area. Actions, based on different strategies, are listed under each of these objectives, with intended year of implementation. The action plan is supported by a monitoring framework, which includes indicators and targets at both action and objective level. Details on the SAP preparation process and the monitoring and evaluation framework are given in later sections.