Access to Knowledge Without Barriers
Lessons from Free Knowledge Africa’s Digitisation Projects The dream of universal open access is a dream worth holding onto. But in the day-to-day work of making knowledge free and accessible, perfectionism can become an obstacle of its own. Not every Institution is ready to throw open every door at once, and that’s okay. Start where …
If you’ve ever searched for Nigerian history online, tried to find photographs of 1900s Lagos, or looked for primary sources about African independence movements, you’ve probably noticed something. There’s just not much knowledge there. It’s not that African knowledge doesn’t exist. Our libraries hold centuries of newspapers and archival materials. We have archives that preserve …
In cities like Helsinki, residents can access dozens of well-funded public libraries within a short commute. In contrast, Lagos, a city of over 15 million people, has only a handful of functioning public libraries. The disparity is sharper in rural Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, where entire local government areas may have no library at …
Every year, as the calendar turns to January 1st, something remarkable happens in the world of creativity and culture. It is a moment when the doors of history swing open, and works that were once locked behind copyright protections step into the light, free for all to enjoy, remix, and reimagine. It’s a celebration of …
I got to know about Free Knowledge Africa for the first time this year, and the experience has been nothing short of transformative. I gained so much from the opportunities they provided, and each one helped me understand open knowledge in ways I never imagined. Stay with me as I walk you through how these …
Free Knowledge Africa is proud to announce that we have signed the Open Heritage Statement, a global call to action launched by Creative Commons and the TAROCH Coalition (Towards a Recommendation on Open Cultural Heritage). This statement is now open for signature by governments, organizations, and institutions worldwide. This statement, developed by more than 60 …
Nigerian music has evolved over the years. From the days of Bobby Benson to contemporary Nigerian artists, music has been a constant factor propelling a lot of creatives in the entertainment industry. Lou Rawls once said “Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people do not understand the language, they still know …
The year 2025 began with the fresh streams of Joy as Free Knowledge Africa, in partnership with the Kwara State Branch of the National Library of Nigeria, hosted an advocacy event themed “The Public Domain in Nigeria: The Role of Libraries in the Preservation of Culture.” The event took place at the National Library of …
At Free Knowledge Africa (FKA), our mission is to make knowledge freely accessible and ensure Africa’s rich history and cultural heritage remain open to all. We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Archivi.ng, a pioneering platform focused on the digitization and preservation of historical records, including newspapers. Through this collaboration, FKA and Archivi.ng …
As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on an extraordinary journey of collaboration, growth, and impact. At Free Knowledge Africa, we believe that open access to knowledge is not just a principle—it’s a catalyst for transformation. Together, we’ve made significant steps in bridging information gaps, preserving cultural heritage, and …
