surveyed in terms of information response. The average response rate was 14 for Mozambique and 16 for Tanzania. In contrast Namibia had a very good response rate at 25 points on average with the lowest performing organisation at 13 points and the highest at 34 points out of 40 points. This is the 11th Transparency Assessment Report of MISA, which examines the openness and transparency of public organisations in southern Africa. This report was compiled in collaboration of eight MISA Chapters and the Namibia Media Trust and ACTION Namibia Coalition. The Electoral Commissions of Zambia and Malawi showed a great deal of transparency receiving 32 and 33 points respectively during the survey. Malawi had its Fresh Presidential Election this year while Zambia goes to the polls in 2021. The Botswana Qualification Authority received the highest score of all organisations surveyed throughout the region. During June and August 2020, research was conducted in nine countries, namely; Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In their respective countries, national researchers sent information requests to selected organisations anticipating answers to their questions within 21 days. The researchers also assessed whether relevant information (from contact details to budgetary information) had proactively been made available by public bodies through an online platform. A number of organisations have moved to the online platforms, however, it is important that they make sure that they update these platforms frequently. Websites with outdated information become irrelevant. The survey found that some websites were last updated more than three years ago. It is also worth mentioning that the 2020 assessment was done in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, where some countries, such as Botswana and Zimbabwe were under constant lockdown. As a result of this, certain organisations were not able to provide the information requested. On a positive note, the Freedom of Information Act, which is part of the processes of repealing the widely discredited Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) 2002, came into effect on 1st July 2020 in Zimbabwe. In Malawi, newly elected President Lazarus Chakwera promised to make sure that the Access to Information Act of 2017 will be operationalised to do away with the culture of secrecy and ensure government accountability. We have frequently heard politicians say that people cannot eat democracy. This phrase is often used as justification for failing to prioritise access to information. And yet the link between access to information and the global goal to reduce poverty seems abundantly clear. People need access to information in order to empower themselves to have choices and control over the decisions that affect their lives. MISA Chapters in Eswatini, and Zambia and also the ACTION Namibia Coalition and Namibia Media Trust are still advocating for enactment of ATI laws in their respective countries for increased government openness and transparency. Meaningful participation in democratic processes requires a citizenry that is well-informed. And commitment to open and transparent governance is non-negotiable if people are to get the information they need to hold their governments to account, build trust, reduce corruption and be active and meaningful participants in their own development. This year’s assessment has shown that most public organisations surveyed have a strong online presence. While this is a step in the right direction to advance public access to information, it can also be used to silence citizens due to the lack of engagement by public officials on these platforms. Despite Mozambique and Tanzania being among countries in Africa with access to information laws, they had the lowest scores among the nine countries RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE 2 OVERVIEW REGIONAL OVERVIEW