In a landmark development for academic publishing on the continent, Open Research Africa (ORA) has announced a sweeping policy change that allows any African-based researcher to publish, regardless of their funding source. This bold move is being hailed as a major step toward inclusive, equitable scientific dissemination across Africa.
Launched in 2022 through a collaboration between F1000, a prominent open-access publisher under Taylor & Francis, and the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA), ORA was envisioned as a catalyst for sharing African-led research with global audiences. However, early restrictions limited submissions to authors funded by a small group of partner organizations, inadvertently excluding a vast number of qualified researchers. In 2024 alone, over 60% of submitted articles were rejected not due to quality, but because authors did not meet funder eligibility criteria.
“It has been disheartening to turn away excellent African research simply because of technicalities,” said Rebecca Lawrence, Managing Director at F1000. “By broadening access, we’re positioning ORA as a more inclusive and powerful platform for African science.”
Now, any article with at least one author affiliated with an African institution qualifies for submission, dramatically widening access and enabling a more diverse range of voices in African academia. Dr. Tom Kariuki, CEO of the SFA, emphasized, “Scientific excellence should not be gatekept by who pays for the research. This change reflects our belief that the whole continent should have the means to share its knowledge openly and globally.”
In tandem with this policy overhaul, ORA has made technical enhancements to improve its publishing process. It continues to operate under F1000’s open peer-review model, ensuring transparency and faster turnarounds, while transitioning to editorial-led reviewer selection, which has improved efficiency and author satisfaction.
While article processing charges (APCs) will now apply to submissions not backed by partner funders, ORA has introduced waivers and discounts for researchers in over 40 African countries, ensuring that financial limitations do not replace previous structural barriers.
This policy shift not only expands the platform’s reach but also invites new institutional partnerships aimed at bolstering African-led research. “ORA becomes not just a platform but a movement,” added Lawrence. “A movement for visibility, access, and equity in global science.”
As African institutions continue to seek stronger representation in global scientific dialogues, ORA’s inclusive model offers a compelling blueprint for decolonizing academic publishing, starting from within the continent.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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