Research
Summary The 2019 Annual Forum of Sub-Saharan Africa’s Science Granting Councils marked the starting point for discussions on the transformative Open Science paradigm. These conversations explored its significance for Africa…
- The study summarises the digital revolution of the last three decades that has seen unprecedented developments in the means whereby vast fluxes of data and information are acquired, stored, and communicated.
- It discusses the pervasive and efficient technologies unleashed by the digital revolution and argues that they cannot be sidestepped.
- The research describes the array of essential tools and processes required for the new paradigm of open science, and the rationale for sharing scientific data to permit their re-use by others as open data.
Summary
The 2019 Annual Forum of Sub-Saharan Africa’s Science Granting Councils marked the starting point for discussions on the transformative Open Science paradigm. These conversations explored its significance for Africa and the potential roles of the Councils in advancing its development. The paper builds on these discussions, highlighting key arguments and actionable insights.
The last 30 years have brought a digital revolution, driving unprecedented advancements in how data is acquired, stored, and shared. This global transformation has enabled data-driven science, a revolutionary approach that identifies deep patterns in complex phenomena. Unlike traditional hypothesis-driven science, data-driven science empowers researchers to harness the full potential of digital technologies. It is a critical driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, offering immense opportunities for societal and scientific progress.
Africa must build a strong science and education base to maximise the opportunities created by digital innovation. The Open Science paradigm amplifies the collective impact of research by fostering data sharing, collaboration, and equitable access to knowledge. It also provides a cost-efficient way to address the challenges posed by the rapid pace of technological advancements.
The recent establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides an opportunity to align Open Science initiatives with increased mobility and regional collaboration. A coordinated African Open Science area could further boost innovation and economic dynamism across the continent.
Key Requirements for Open Science
Open Science relies on an ecosystem of tools and processes that support the sharing and reuse of scientific data. These include:
• Efficient management of research data with common usability and citation standards.
• Open licensing frameworks that enable equitable data access.
• Affordable, open-access publishing platforms for scientific outputs.
• Cutting-edge machine learning and computational tools for enhanced research efficiency.
Equally important is fostering greater societal engagement in science to co-create actionable, legitimate knowledge with practical applications.
Science Granting Councils as Catalysts for Open Science
Science Granting Councils are uniquely positioned to advance Open Science in Research and Innovation. As intermediaries between governments and the research community, they can:
• Facilitate pan-African Open Science initiatives to amplify collaboration and impact.
• Advocate for policy harmonisation on intellectual property, data standards, and open-access publishing.
• Promote investment in IT infrastructure, including high-performance computing and cloud systems.
• Enable the development of metrics that reward Open Science practices rather than penalising researchers.
Challenges and Opportunities
Africa faces significant challenges in building Open Science capacity. Investment in science remains the lowest per capita globally, with most funding sourced from outside the continent. Many universities are underfunded, and there is limited access to advanced computational resources.
Despite these obstacles, promising initiatives offer a foundation for growth. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is developing powerful computational infrastructure, while digital education projects and World Bank investments show potential. Additionally, Africa benefits from strong internet connections and growing National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), which could form the backbone of an intra-African Open Science network if adequately supported.
Open Science offers Africa a transformative pathway to overcome historical barriers and actively participate in the global knowledge economy. By leveraging digital technologies and fostering collaboration, African nations can drive innovation, strengthen research capacity, and create lasting socio-economic benefits. With strong support from Science Granting Councils and stakeholders, the continent can unlock the full potential of Open Science in Research and Innovation.
Recommendations for Advancing Open Science in Africa
To fully realise the potential of Open Science in Research and Innovation, the paper offers several recommendations:
- Establish an African Open Science Area to coordinate regional efforts.
- Align Open Science initiatives with national and pan-African development priorities.
- Develop a concordat with international funders to safeguard African intellectual property and support researchers’ career growth.
- Encourage institutions to endorse the Science International Accord on Open Data.
- Foster dialogue among stakeholders—governments, policymakers, universities, and international agencies—to align Open Science efforts with African priorities.
- Explore the creation of federated IT systems to improve collaboration and efficiency.
Download the full research paper here.
Research and Resources
Themes
The SGCI aims to strengthen the capacities of these SGCs to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to economic and social development.
