MISA Zimbabwe engaged legislators on the 7th of December 2021 and raised concern over the proposed levy which contradicts the objectives of the National Development Strategy 1 aimed at promoting 100% internet penetration by 2025. The legislators made a commitment to oppose that proposal on the basis that it contradicts the objective of promoting information as a public good, perpetuates financial exclusion for an economy that relies on mobile money and increases the inequality gap as phones are pivotal for education during the COVID 19 pandemic. Results/Impact During a post -budget seminar, parliamentarians advised that such levy should be done away with hence emphasising the call for internet access and affordability. ACCESS TO INFORMATION Transparency Assessment Index As part of its annual Transparency Assessment Index of the most open and most closed public institutions, in 2021 MISA Zimbabwe identified 10 institutions and worked with Community Based Organisations to make information requests to the public institutions. The process was monitored in line with provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The public institutions under review were thus expected to acknowledge receipt of information requests within seven (7) days and provide a written response of the requested information within 21 working days. Public institutions that failed to do this were deemed to have declined to provide information. Some of the dissatisfied citizens approached the Zimbabwe Media Commission for recourse as provided for by the law. On the other hand, MISA Zimbabwe also monitored the websites of the institutions under review as well as the social media utilisation and activities of the institutions. This was particularly relevant in this Covid-19 environment as most people were working from home as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus. Information requests is one of the tools employed by MISA Zimbabwe to promote public accountability and transparency in the administration of public resources as well as increasing citizens’ agency by empowering them to demand and enjoy their rights which assists them in making informed decisions and choices. The following public institutions were surveyed: 1. Bulawayo City Council 2. Empower Bank 3. Harare City Council 13