Open access in Africa: Indicators, infrastructure, and policies

 

One of the key areas identified for capacity building for the second phase of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is open science, and in particular open access to scientific literature and open data. This includes new research, tools, and training that can help science granting councils put new tools, practices, and policies in place that can enhance their effectiveness. However, there is insufficient empirical evidence regarding open access trends in Africa, for example the extent to which existing platforms and policies can assist scholarly publishing and benefit producers and users of published research on the continent.

The project will provide an overview of the work of various organizations to support access to knowledge, from open access policies to creating infrastructures. It will also compare the developments made in Africa with those made in other countries and it will analyze the use of open access literature in Africa. The goal of the project is to provide practical solutions to ensure the availability of scholarly knowledge to the 15 granting councils that participate in the project.

The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in sub-Saharan Africa aims to strengthen the capacities of science granting councils to support research and evidence-based policies that contribute to economic and social development. The initiative’s activities include training, regional exchanges and forums, online training, on-site coaching, and collaborative research. The initiative was developed jointly by IDRC, the UK’s Department for International Development, and South Africa’s National Research Foundation. Its ultimate goal is nationally led research that contributes to development.