Resources for Open Source Software in Africa

I wanted to share some resources I’ve recently discovered that promote the use of free and open source software (FOSS) in Africa. Some of these applications are for health, some are for other purposes. But the more open source software becomes familiar to users in the developing world, and the more they use and trust free software, the more likely they will be to adopt an open source information system like iHRIS. We are all working toward the same goals: providing low-cost, sustainable software that helps these countries improve their systems.

• The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa is promoting the use of FOSS and the FOSS model in African development, and the organization supports the integration of FOSS in national policies.
• Open Source Africa provides a migration guide and a connection to the FOSS community in southern Africa.
• The Google Africa Blog is sharing news, stories and thoughts about using Google tools in sub-Saharan Africa.
• OpenMRS is an exciting project to develop an open source electronic medical record system framework specifically for the developing world.

Posted by Shannon Turlington on 7/30/2008 • Tags: Africa, FOSS, Free Software Community, Open Source, Software