Building an Africa-led future for Open Research – INASP Blog

"The conversation around Open Research in Africa is entering a new phase. What was once framed as a question of access to publications is now being redefined as something far more strategic: a pathway to strengthening research systems, building equitable knowledge infrastructures, and positioning science, technology and innovation at the centre of the continent’s development. At its core, Open Research refers to approaches that make research more transparent and its outputs more accessible and reusable. 

This shift was visible at the 4th EAC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Conference in Kigali, where the Vision for Open Research in Africa was presented during a high-level side event alongside broader continental science and innovation discussions. For INASP, this moment marked an important milestone. We have been supporting the Science for Africa Foundation in shaping this vision, and it is encouraging to see it now gaining traction within continental processes, particularly through the emerging collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and its contribution to delivering the ambitions of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2034 (STISA-2034). 

The Kigali discussions made clear that Open Research is no longer a niche agenda, but part of the infrastructure required for Africa’s long-term development."