Fossfa warns Govts against Microsoft
Free Software and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (Fossfa) co-ordinator Bildad Kagai today issued a stongly-worded warning to African governments that are – or are planning to – enter into \”deals\” with the Microsoft Corporation saying they were jeopordising their local software industry as well as limiting the potential of ICT development in their countries.
Kagai, a founder of Fossfa, and an outspoken critic of proprietary software, said \”Fossfa estimates Africa\’s ICTs industry to be worth more than $25 billion and growing. It will be unfair to Africa if our leaders were to give away this industry to already rich corporations when local talent exists to service this industry in this
continent.\”
In a letter to open source advocates across the continent Kagai wrote:
\”The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) is concerned
with the recent agreements and partnerships African Governments and their
organs have been signing with the Microsoft Corporation which in essence are
killing local software industry and inhibiting the potential of developing
local human capacity in the field of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs). FOSSFA compares the scenario being created similar to
the tea and coffee crisis where the producers in the developing world do not
get a decent return from the crops whilst the processors in the developed
world reap all the profits.
Most recently, Microsoft has signed agreements with the New Partnership for
African Development (NEPAD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the tune of
thousands of millions of dollars which effectively confines these agencies
and the governments they represent from pursuing and practicing the freedom
of CHOICE especially from the local software producers who are currently
coming up in all pockets of Africa. See:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/Jan04/01-23WorldEconomicForumPR.asp
FOSSFA wishes to air this clarion call to African governments to be wary of
these unfair trade practices from big multinational corporations such as
Microsoft and emulate the Asian Tigers who realised the benefits of promoting
local products and local talent. FOSSFA estimates Africa\’s ICTs industry to
be worth more than 25 Billion Dollars and growing. It will be unfair to
Africa if our leaders were to give away this industry to already rich
corporations when local talent exists to service this industry in this
continent. That is the only way we can achieve economic empowerment and
sustainable development. Buy African. Build Africa. Visit our portal to see
software products produced in Africa. www.fossfa.org
–
With Kind Regards,
Bildad Kagai
CEO – Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd.
Coordinator – Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA)
Comments
5 Responses to “Fossfa warns Govts against Microsoft”
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February 19th, 2004 @ 12:00 am
I agree with the comments of Bill Kagai the FOSSFA founder member. Even Brazil has fallen in love with open source solutions and local ICT providers have grown immensely as a result
February 19th, 2004 @ 12:00 am
the fundamental problem of Africa\’s governments is weakness. Will they dare to oppose the forces of Microsoft and its allies? I think not. We desperately need wider alliances across the developing world. Desparately! We need to forge a common ICT policy between Africa and countries like India, Brazil and China. That way our governments can take shelter behind the \”big boys\” i.e China and India, when the pressure comes down to go with Microsoft.
February 20th, 2004 @ 12:00 am
I think the open source advocates can go a long way if they vigorously fought this fight and tried to convince the Governments and all other parties concerned. its not an easy battle but it can be done. Slowly may be but Surely. The time is now. Let them get to work.
February 21st, 2004 @ 12:00 am
As much as Microsoft puts it that users of proprietary software have a choice, African Governments have a responsibility to develop their own ICT industry as a matter of priority and concern. Lets build our own. Free software if promoted equally offers great value proposition and its time guys. Its time!
February 24th, 2004 @ 12:00 am
Funny thing is that those countries ( Me myself I\’m from Madagascar ) don\’t even ask You what\’s Your choice. Most of the African governments don\’t care about the public opinion. They just take what gives them money in the short term and … here we are. Is there any possibility to put the question on the UN forum or something like this ? Who gave the rights to the international bodies to decide for the Africa\’s citiziens? ( by the way, any MS product is at least 20 % more expensive here than in Europe … )