Semkae Kilonzo is the Coordinator of the Policy Forum on Tanzania, a network of over 100 NGOs registered in Tanzania, drawn together by a specific interest in influencing policy processes to enhance poverty reduction, equity and democratization.

In this Q&A interview, Semekae makes the case for more and better transparency in order to hold the government to account.

Read the full interview.

Elizabeth Missokia is the Executive Director of HakiElimu, and organisation working to create an open, just and democratic Tanzania, where all people enjoy the right to education that promotes equity, creativity and critical thinking.

WATCH her discuss why aid transparency is important for CSOs, and why donors should publish what they fund.

READ her story of how better aid information has helped in Tanzania:

“One of the activities that we do is social accountability monitoring, and we’ve trained citizens to do simple monitoring and use that information to demand change. In some areas, citizens have been able to use that information to monitor development projects to unlock funds, and also address issues of corruption.

“In an area of Tanzania where we held this training, citizens realised there was money that had been allocated to build a clinic and classrooms. But although the money had been ‘spent’, the classrooms had not been built, and the clinic was only half-built. This was a donor funded programme. We found how much money was allocated to that programme, and compared it to the cost of that construction activity.

“In the end, citizens were able to reveal corruption – and the government officials involved at the village level – to the regional and district officials. The money was returned, and the clinic was finished. This is how powerful information can be. Donors were not even aware what had happened, but the citizens worked it out.a donor-funded programme. We found out who was funding that programme, and were able to get information from the district authority to find out how much money was allocated to that programme, and the cost of that construction activity.

“The community also became more empowered and now they are more active in demanded for information – especially budget information. And they know how to follow up. They can follow the money.”

Neil Cole is the Executive Secretary of the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI).

CABRI is a professional network of senior budget officials in African Ministries of Finance and/or Planning. It’s main objective is to promote efficient and effective management of public finances, which fosters economic growth and enhances service delivery for the improvement of living standards of African people.

To hear why Neil thinks aid transparency is important for improving public services, watch this clip.

Canada’s North-South Institute (NSI) recently organized an event for Global Transparency Week. It featured a panel discussion on open data, transparency and its role in international development.

The event was one of 18 high-profile events taking place across the globe focused on open data, transparency, accountability and good governance, organised by Publish What You Fund.

Read the summary report which presents highlights from the discussion and analysis. See also NSI’s recent op-ed on the subject.

To learn more about how NSI leverages open data for development impact please visit the Canadian International Development Platform.