Panel Discussion: Open Source in Africa and the Indian Ocean — Community, Contribution, and Career

Open source software powers the majority of the world's digital infrastructure, yet contributors from Africa and the Indian Ocean region remain significantly underrepresented in global open source communities. With growing developer populations across the continent and increasing internet access, the potential for meaningful participation has never been higher. So what's holding us back — and what's already working?

This panel gathers open source contributors, community organisers, and technology professionals from the region to discuss the state of open source participation locally and across Africa. We'll explore the barriers to contribution, the role of local communities and conferences in nurturing talent, how open source involvement translates into career opportunities, and what maintainers and foundations can do to be more inclusive. If you've ever wondered how to go from user to contributor — or how to build a local open source culture — this discussion is for you.