The right to information is fundamental to the realization of economic and social rights as well as civil and political rights. Exercise of the right to information is the oxygen for democracy, making it possible for people to make informed decisions about their own lives. The right to information is internationally affirmed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. On the African continent, it is codified under: • Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights • Article 19 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance • Article 9 and 12(4) of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption • Article 10(3d) and 11(2i) of the African Union Youth Charter • Article 6 of the African Charter on Values and Principles of Public Service and Administration • Article 3 of the African Statistics Charter The real challenge remains at the national level on three fronts: 1) the adoption of right to information legislation, 2) the policy implementation of this right in public sector institutions, and 3) the application of the law. To date, a little over one fourth of African countries have adopted this law. The three manuals in the collection aim to assist the key actors, i.e. individuals working in public sector institutions, civil society organisations and the media, with the necessary knowledge and tools to transform these laws from their paper form into vibrant practice.