Capacity Building in Innovative Information and Communication Technologies through Free and Open Source Software in Southern and East Africa

The ict@innovation programme supports the development of African ICT industries based on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) capable of providing adapted applications and services to the public and private sector.

The programme focuses on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) as a key technology to drive innovation, add local value and create sustainable and affordable ICT-solutions.

To this end, ict@innovation aims to enhance regional networking and to strengthen consulting capacities of regional and national ICT associations and training institutions as well as of other relevant change agents.

ict@innovation web portal: ict-innovation.fossfa.net

Programme Components

ict@innovation promotes small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the field of FOSS by strengthing the capacities of regional and national ICT-organisations through four main strands of action:

A. African FOSS Business Models and Skills for ICT-based SME - to develop and deliver innovative and appropriate FOSS products, services, and training
• Capturing profitable business models for FOSS products, services and training, adapted to the African context
• Disseminating such model business approaches and related skills in the African ICT sector

B. Spreading FOSS Certification
Quality Management for FOSS Services through Certification
• Promotion of internationally accepted quality standards in the field of FOSS such as Linux Professional Institute (LPI)-Certification
• Enlargement of training base for certification and accreditation of FOSS training courses, materials and tests

C. Innovative local FOSS Applications for social and economic development
• “Learning by Coding”: Application of technical skills in locally relevant software development/ implementation projects
• Development and dissemination of FOSS products adapted to the needs of the SME and the public sector

D. Crosscutting: Regional networking and international exchange

Programme Scope and Partners

ict@innovation was launched at the Idlelo 3 conference, March 16 - 20, in Dakar. The programme duration is from 2008 to 2010.

ict@innovation implementing and multiplying partners include a variety of regional and national stakeholders such as IT associations, ICT training institutions, universities, and other change agents.

The programme aims to ultimately benefit African ICT-SME and their customers, especially national public administrations and SME in Southern and East Africa.

Strategic programme partners include The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).

Background

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) represent key elements for economic and social development in Sub-Saharan Africa in sectors such as education, administration and business development. However, the region lacks sustainable local ICT service providers, ICT-driven businesses, IT-experts, and innovation managers, particularly in the promising field of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

Further Resources