Burundi is preparing for its first Software Freedom Day on 16 September.
Dr Victor van Reijswoud, chairman of the East African Centre for Open Source Software (Eacoss), and who is establishing a Floss (free, libre open source software) centre in Bujumbura, the country`s capital, emphasises the importance of this landmark in a country whose ICT growth has been stunted by 12 years of civil war.
Burundi needs a chance to develop an ICT infrastructure with strong elements of Floss, he says, adding the central African country is on the brink of many changes now that the war is ending.
"It is important that Floss ideals are available to government, business and education so they can build towards a strong knowledge-based economy."
He says creating a strong Floss community in the country is a challenge because of the lack of ICT influence over the past few years. "The country is about 99% paper-based with hardly any computers."
Financial backing to establish the centre has been scarce, with an estimated $50 000 needed to create a Floss institution aimed at building a strong ICT future.
Uganda`s example
Van Reijswoud is positive about Floss growth in the region due to the impact Eacoss has had in Uganda in the last three years. He adds the centre has an enormous impact on the way people think about software.
"When I started, hardly anybody had heard of OSS, but now, through campaigns, a training centre and the migration of the leading private university, people are aware that there is an alternative.
"This change of attitude in Uganda has strengthened me to start a similar initiative in Burundi," he says.
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