The AfricArXiv Open Science Webinar Series returns with a timely and practical session focused on strengthening research infrastructure in Africa through national open access repositories. This webinar, supported by the Network Adoption Fund through Invest in Open Infrastructure (IOI), will showcase the journey of the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN) in designing and launching Malawi’s national repository: edurepo.maren.ac.mw.
As African countries accelerate efforts toward open science, digital research infrastructure, and increased research visibility, national repositories play a critical role in ensuring that locally produced knowledge is accessible, discoverable, and impactful.
Webinar Details
- Date: April 2, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM CAT
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Presenter: Jones Kumwenda (MAREN)
- Moderator: Harold Bowa (UbuntuNet Alliance)
Register here:
https://ubuntunet.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NPEyp6EnQYWvr6gRbJChig
What to Expect
In this session, Jones Kumwenda, Systems Engineer at MAREN and lead architect of the repository, will share practical insights into:
- Practical roadmap for building a national repository
- Importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration
- Key technical and governance considerations
- Real-world lessons: what works and what doesn’t
- Strategies for driving adoption and engagement
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for:
- National Research and Education Networks (NRENs)
- University libraries and repository managers
- Research administrators and policymakers
- ICT directors and infrastructure leads
- Open science advocates and practitioners
- Researchers interested in increasing visibility of their work