The ict@innovation programme builds capacities in African small and medium ICT enterprises and supports Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) powered business. ict@innovation aims to encourage the growth of African ICT industries through three main actions:
ict@innovation is a partnership of FOSSFA (Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa) and the 'Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit' (GIZ) [until 2010: InWEnt - Capacity Building International, Germany].
Funding partners are the German Ministry Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). 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. 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.
Over the past years, 1200+ African experts have joined forces to create business and learning opportunities with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Africa through ict@innovation. For more information on achievements of the programme, check the overview on achievements.
Pillar A. Training on African FOSS Business Models for ICT-based SME:
Free your IT-Business in Africa! Advanced Training on African FOSS Business Models for IT-SMEs
• Training materials including, case studies and best practice business models for "Free and Open Source Software" (FOSS) products, services and training, adapted to the African context
• Disseminating such model business approaches and related skills in the African ICT sector throuch training courses and networking
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Pillar B. Quality Management for FOSS Services through Certification:
Linux Admin Certification in Africa - the ict@innovation Training of Trainers Programme
• Promotion of internationally recognised quality standards in the field of FOSS by providing access to training in low-cost vendor-neutral Certification for Linux Administration (using Linux Professional Institute's LPI International Certification scheme).
• Enlargement of trainings for certification and accreditation of FOSS training courses, tests and materials
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Pillar C. Innovative local FOSS Applications for social and economic development:
Coding FOSS in Africa - the mentored internship programme (MIP) of AVOIR & ict@innovation
• “Learning by Coding”: promoting the application of technical skills in locally relevant software projects
• Development and dissemination of FOSS products adapted to the needs of the SME and the public sector
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Pillar D. Regional networking and international exchange
• Community building through trainings and the ict@innovation web portal
• Strengthening regional organisations and assisting international exchange
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The external financing phase of ict@innovation is from 2008 to 2012, with an increasing networking component to be continued by the community and by the partners beyond 2012. More information on current implementation and funding partners can be found online under the programme partners section.
ict@innovation relies on a variety of regional and national, implementing and multiplying partners and participants such as IT associations, ICT training institutions, universities, and other change agents. For more information on the programme, see the programme brochures below.
Over the past years, 1200+ African experts have joined forces to create business and learning opportunities with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Africa through ict@innovation. For more information on achievements of the programme, check the overview on achievements.
We are highlighting events in Africa such as FOSS Trainings, FOSS Conferences and other happenings relevant to our community.
