Mozambique is among the countries with the lowest human development capital in the world, with so low normative constraints that kleptocracy ca fully captures the state, even in cooperation with international banks. The only blow to corruption has come from outside in the form of an US investigation into the massive embezzlement of development funds involving the Credit Suisse bank. The only way ahead is through an alliance between the scarce civil society and development donors to push for full public expenditure transparency. Donors’ investment in civil society and community level accountability may also help until some critical mass is build which can shake the power of kleptocrats