Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa
 | |
| Type: | Non-profit |
| Industry: | Internet |
| Founded: | 2002 |
| Headquarters: | Accra |
| Country: | Ghana |
| Website: | www.fossfa.net |
| Key People | |
| Nnenna Nwakanma, Council Chair Katim S. Touray, Council Vice-chair Samer Azmy, General Secretary Milton Aineruhanga, Treasurer | |
Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) is an open source task force which aims to unite individuals and organizations engaged in open source in the local, regional and national level to participate and support the advocacy for the development, use and implementation of open source solutions in the African region.
Background edit
The idea behind the establishment of the FOSSFA was initiated during the ICT Policy and Civil Society Workshop which was held in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia on November 6-8, 2002 in preparation for the 2003 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva. During the workshop, the participants realized the need for open source solutions in Africa. An Open Source Task Force for Africa (OSTA) was subsequently created to bring together entities engages in open source all over the African region. Eventually on February 2003, the organization was created during the preparatory committee meeting of the WSIS.[1]
Vision and Mission edit
The organization's vision is to promote the use of FOSS and the FOSS model as part of the African development.It also aims to become the voice in promoting creativity,expertise and initiatives for free open source solution as well as women empowerment within the African continent.[2]
Objectives edit
The foundation aims to achieve the following objectives:[3]
- To serve as an advocate for the use and implementation of open source solutions from the local, regional at up to national level.
- To encourage donations from governments that support opensource such as Germany, Sweden, Norway and France.
- To create a Clearinghouse of Knowledge Factory
- To implement minimum standards, guidelines and advisory parameters that will be used by the organization
- To develop a localized capacity to work on software development in Africa
- To ensure that a discussion regarding open source will be included during the National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) policy processes
Staff edit
- George Gary Nyambuya, ICT & Innovation Project Coordinator
- Evans Ikua, ICT & Innovation Certification Manager
- James Kariuki Njenga, Mentored Internship Program Manager
- Judy Okite, Internet Governance Forum Coordinator
Projects edit
- FOSSWAY(FOSS Advocacy in West Africa and Beyond)- an advocacy for three years to increase the the awareness and use of free and open source software in Western Africa in partnership with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).[4]
- ICT@INNOVATION- a project which aims to increase the development and growth of small & medium ICT enterprises in the East and Southern part of Africa.[5]
Challenges edit
According to an interview with FOSSFA Council Executives, the organization is faced different challenges which include:[6]
- lack policy and difficult implementation of existing policy
- political instability
- governance and infrastructure challenges
- low investment in education and capacity building
- negative image given to Africa
FOSSFA and ICANN edit
Katim S. Touray, the Council Vice-chairman of FOSSFA was selected in 2008 to become one of the members of the ICANN Board of Directors representing Africa.[7]