Why Open Source Matters: The East African Perspective

Open source software has become a cornerstone of modern software development. In East Africa, the adoption and contribution to open source projects are creating new opportunities for developers and strengthening our regional tech ecosystem.

Over 70% of modern software now relies on open source components. From web frameworks to databases, mobile development tools to cloud infrastructure, open source powers the digital world. Yet, the contributors who maintain and improve these critical projects are few and often unsupported.

East Africa has tremendous potential in the tech industry. With Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia emerging as digital hubs, we have thousands of talented developers ready to contribute to global open source projects. However, many lack the structured support, mentorship, and resources needed to make meaningful contributions.

This is where Support & Care For East Africa comes in. We're dedicated to:

• Building inclusive communities that welcome developers of all levels • Providing mentorship from experienced open source maintainers • Creating funding opportunities for open source projects • Connecting East African developers with global opportunities • Ensuring the long-term sustainability of open source projects

The future of technology in East Africa is built on open source. By empowering our developers to contribute and lead open source projects, we're not just building better software—we're building a stronger, more connected tech ecosystem for the entire region.

Join us in this mission. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting your journey, there's a place for you in the open source community.