Open Science Hardware (OSH) is an emerging movement in Africa with a growing pool of contributors. This report examines the challenges and opportunities associated with this movement while proposing a theory of change that outlines strategies to catalyze its development and make it an engine of African ingenuity through innovative projects that solve specific problems and significantly impact people’s lives.
OSH has considerable potential to provide innovative solutions to local challenges in Africa. The global open science hardware movement, led by the Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH) community, aims to democratize access to scientific tools, enabling innovators to tackle the problems that affect their communities. However, in Africa and beyond, the movement faces two major assumptions: many people need to learn what OSH is, and many need to understand its benefits, which is holding back the adoption and development of the movement.
Collective reflections within the African Open Science Hardware (AfricaOSH) community have identified strategies for achieving a desired impact, including the development of collective actions led by regional coordinators, the promotion and dissemination of information, OSH education, the development of a participatory research and funding system, a change in mindset, and the connection between organizations working in this field and universities.
Key indicators for assessing the growth of the movement in Africa include the accessibility of resources for African innovators, the emergence of students and schools advocating the use of open hardware, and the replicability of African open innovations. This report is the result of discussions involving eight members of the AfricaOSH community, which were facilitated during an online workshop and led to the development of this document.
OSH in Africa has enormous potential for sustainable social innovation. To realize this impact, it is crucial to raise awareness, build capacity, promote partnerships and support locally adapted open hardware solutions. This report aims to guide future efforts to develop Open Science Hardware in Africa, focusing on innovative solutions for local challenges and fostering a collaborative and engaged community.