A recap of my presentation at FOSS Backstage 2025
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?
- Lack of awareness and motivation for those who know.
- Prestige associated with using software from larger, well-known vendors.
- Vendor lock-in and aggressive marketing by proprietary companies targeting governments.
- Limited availability of certified and experienced FOSS/Linux professionals.
- Prevalence of software piracy.
- Fragmented or non-existent FOSS communities.
More Barriers to Adoption of Open Source Software in Africa
Infrastructure Challenges:
- Internet connectivity issues.
- Unstable and unreliable power supply.
- Lack of resources and funding.
- 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:
- Lower costs.
- Skilling and narrowing the digital divide.
- Startups and job creation.
- Empowerment through access to free resources.
- Localized innovations driving growth in key sectors.
Key and Strategic Sectors in Africa for FOSS Adoption
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Startups/SMEs (e.g., Banking, Film & Music Industry)
- Education
- Health
- Research
- Environment
Enablers and Implementers of Open Source Software Adoption
- Advocates/Evangelists: Promote FOSS use in sectors like government, health, and education.
- Trainers/Educators: Teach FOSS concepts (e.g., Linux).
- Community Leaders: Lead FOSS communities.
- Software Developers: Create and maintain open-source software.
- Vendors/Integrators: Include Linux distributors and organizations promoting FOSS.
Strategies for Stakeholders
For Advocates:
- Timing
- Focus
- Campaigns
- Showcase (e.g., trade shows)
- Share and evangelize
For Trainers/Educators:
- Localize content
- Contextualize teachings
- Port content
- Adapt materials
- Evangelize
For Community Leaders:
- Assess needs
- Partner with stakeholders
- Fundraise and support initiatives
- Host events
- Engage strategic sectors
For Software Developers:
- Solve immediate problems.
- Localize solutions.
- Enable workarounds.
- Use free and open licenses.
- Adapt bravely.
For Vendors:
- Provide support.
- Engage with local FOSS advocates and communities.
- Partner with startups to promote FOSS.
- Certify professionals.
- 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.
Increasing Adoption of Free Open Source Software In Africa
I recently spoke at FOSS Backstage 2025 on strategies for boosting open source software adoption and empowering local communities in Africa.
I have uploaded the slides. A video of this event will be published in the coming weeks.