Open Secrets is an independent non-profit with a mission to promote private sector accountability for economic crime and related human rights violations in Southern Africa. Our vision is to promote the right to truth and contributing towards social justice by using research, advocacy and litigation to hold powerful private actors to account for violations of human rights. Open Secrets aims to contribute its efforts to an area of work which is currently under-served in the region. We aim to complement and support important work currently undertaken by partner organisations in civil society.

The following six guiding principles inform the approach we take to our work:

Research that informs action: We undertake focussed, in-depth and rigorous investigations.

Advocacy for accountability: We believe that in partnership with other in
civil society organisations we can be strong advocates for change.

Litigating for change: The law, particularly in South Africa, is a powerful instrument that can be used to hold private actors accountable for breaking the law and abusing power.

Working collaboratively: We are commited to ensuring collaboration with partner organisations in civil society in all aspects of its work.

Go where its hard and we can add value: We undertake work where we believe that we can add value and hence a primary focus on the financial services sector. We also choose to focus on economic crimes and human rights abuses involving the powerful and well resourced.

Transparency, integrity and accountability in practice: We are transparent about the approach of our work and the sources of our funding. Open Secrets will not accept funding that undermines our integrity.