MOZAMBIQUE TRANSPARENCY ASSESSMENT REPORT INTRODUCTION During the war in Cabo Delgado, there has been a tendency by the State to revise laws and approve new legal instruments ostensibly to combat terrorism. However, this has threatened the right to information, as it penalises citizens for disseminating classified information, while public officials, who have an obligation to protect such information, are not held accountable. Like other fundamental and universally recognised rights, the right to information in Mozambique is covered by Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique (CRM) within the framework of the general peace agreement and the consequent establishment of the Democratic State of Law in 1990. The CRM requires that provisions related to human rights must be interpreted in harmony with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly concerning the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19) and the right to information (Article 9). A more coordinated effort among different actors, particularly civil society organisations, working towards democratising ATI in partnership with the government is essential for strengthening the State’s institutional capacity. This will promote a more favourable institutional culture for the right to information and enhance institutional capacity and awareness. Significant reforms in the civil service have been implemented in Mozambique, broadly associated with transparency and the expansion of information provision mechanisms through information and communication technologies (ICTs). The approval of the national information policy through Resolution No. 28 of 12 December 2000, Law No. 30/2001, which regulates the functioning of public administration, and the Right to Information Act (RTIA) are part of these efforts. However, these do not effectively translate into improving the provision of information to citizens. Among the most common obstacles are (i) the institutional incapacity for information management caused by the weak understanding of the law by officials and (ii) the absence of adequate infrastructure and channels that allow for efficient management of state-protected information. The fact that the legal instrument has been in effect for nine years may create a false idea of maturity in State institutions regarding their understanding of the law. However, the observed contextual factors reported in the 2020 Transparency Report demonstrate that the State’s commitment can quickly change depending on circumstances. This study measured the level of readiness of public institutions and state-owned companies to provide information based on the application of the RTIA. Approved in 2014, this legal instrument and its corresponding regulations serve as a reference within the national legal framework regarding access to information (ATI) of public interest and fulfilment of the constitutional principle of citizens’ democratic participation in public life and guaranteeing related fundamental rights. The challenges of implementing the RTIA arise from a context of heightened crises in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, escalation of terrorist extremism in Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique, cyclical natural disasters in the central and northern regions of the country, and the economic crisis resulting from the hidden debts scandal have forced the State to adopt a dual approach. On the one hand, and within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, state institutions resorted to digitising services provided to citizens in response to health protocols. On the other hand, they reinforced a secretive culture, particularly regarding the war in Cabo Delgado and the judicial processes related to the so-called “hidden debts case” in the name of judicial secrecy and State secrets. RATIONALE AND RESEARCH PARAMETERS AIM OF THE STUDY This survey targeted ten public organisations to ascertain how responsive they are to information inquiries by the public. The survey was carried out from April to July 2023.. 56