Talks

Here’s a summary of my presentation delivered during the FOSS Backstage 2025 conference in Berlin, Germany. For a deeper dive into the points outlined below, please refer to the official recording of my talk.

Why Are There Low Adoption Rates for Open Source Software in Africa?

1. Lack of awareness and motivation for those who know.
2. Prestige associated with using software from larger, well-known vendors.
3. Vendor lock-in and aggressive marketing by proprietary companies targeting governments.
4. Limited availability of certified and experienced FOSS/Linux professionals.
5. Prevalence of software piracy.
6. Fragmented or non-existent FOSS communities.

More Barriers to Adoption of Open Source Software in Africa

Infrastructure Challenges:

1. Internet connectivity issues.
2. Unstable and unreliable power supply.
3. Lack of resources and funding.
4. Systemic corruption.

Why Bother with FOSS Adoption in Africa?

• Africa accounts for 18% of the world’s population (1.5B+), with some of the fastest-growing economies globally.
• By 2025, 12 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies are projected to be in Africa.

Benefits of FOSS Adoption:

1. Lower costs.
2. Skilling and narrowing the digital divide.
3. Startups and job creation.
4. Empowerment through access to free resources.
5. Localized innovations driving growth in key sectors.

Key and Strategic Sectors in Africa for FOSS Adoption

1. Mining
2. Agriculture
3. Tourism
4. Startups/SMEs (e.g., Banking, Film & Music Industry)
5. Education
6. Health
7. Research
8. Environment

Enablers and Implementers of Open Source Software Adoption

1. Advocates/Evangelists: Promote FOSS use in sectors like government, health, and education.
2. Trainers/Educators: Teach FOSS concepts (e.g., Linux).
3. Community Leaders: Lead FOSS communities.
4. Software Developers: Create and maintain open-source software.
5. Vendors/Integrators: Include Linux distributors and organizations promoting FOSS.

Strategies for Stakeholders

For Advocates:

1. Timing
2. Focus
3. Campaigns
4. Showcase (e.g., trade shows)
5. Share and evangelize

For Trainers/Educators:

1. Localize content
2. Contextualize teachings
3. Port content
4. Adapt materials
5. Evangelize

For Community Leaders:

1. Assess needs
2. Partner with stakeholders
3. Fundraise and support initiatives
4. Host events
5. Engage strategic sectors

For Software Developers:

1. Solve immediate problems.
2. Localize solutions.
3. Enable workarounds.
4. Use free and open licenses.
5. Adapt bravely.

For Vendors:

1. Provide support.
2. Engage with local FOSS advocates and communities.
3. Partner with startups to promote FOSS.
4. Certify professionals.
5. Establish local FOSS incubators.

Conclusion

I am optimistic that the next decade will see a significant increase in open source software adoption across Africa, unlocking its potential for economic growth and innovation in key sectors.