1. Private Sector Research Institutes’ Initiatives
in Promoting/Advocating
for Open Data and Open Science in Africa
-A Case of Botswana-
A Presentation at the African Open Science Forum (AOSP)/ (AAU) 50th Anniversary
Accra - Ghana
Joseph Mwelwa, PhD. –
Founder & Senior Partner
Joint Minds Consult -
©JMC All Rights Reserved

2. OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION
A brief overview of Joint Minds Consult
Motivation for private sector participation in the ODOS discourse
What private sector can do to promote ODOS in Africa
Joint Minds Consult's contributions to ODOS as a private sector
Strategies for promoting ODOS
Lessons learnt in the process

3. What is Joint Minds Consult?
Joint Minds Consult (JMC) is an example of a private institution promoting ODOS
Country Managing Partner - Botswana – Dr Patrick Molutsi
Board consists of experienced and international team of researchers, education and training consultants [Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe] – based in Gaborone- Botswana.
Research, Knowledge Development and Management, Training and H Ed Student Support [Master & PhDs]
Research co-ordination and advocacy for research based policy and decision making in Africa.
A member of the Research Data Alliance.
Endorser of the SI Accord on (ODOS)

4. GLOBAL SPREAD AND NETWORK OF CONSULTANTS
Figure. 3 JMCproposed Quadrant approach . Adapted on source: World map by
D] European Union block
and Russia
E]Asia
B] USA and Canada
C1 ] The Caribbean and South America
F]. Central + East Africa
A] PRINCIPAL CONSULTANTS-BOTSWANA
R.C- Jamaica
R.C - Barbados
R.C- U.K
R.C- India
R.C -Zambia
GLOBAL SPREAD AND NETWORK OF CONSULTANTS
A] SADC
G] West + North Africa
H] Middle East
I] Horn of Africa
J] Australia and New Zealand
C2 USA

5. Need formalization and recognition of data production points
WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION ON ODOS IN AFRICA ?
 In a technologically and knowledge driven Africa,… data are indispensable.
Digital revolution has produced … enormous amounts of data …organizations are drowning in transactional data - Data not informing decisions
Knowledge production takes place in a multiplicity of places including public and private sector institutions
Need formalization and recognition of data production points
Open data up for access, sharability, and optimal good use
Data production, like knowledge, have been de-concentrated from the traditional bastions of knowledge such as universities, public and private sector research institutions
Data stubbornly tends to lock away wealth from even those who produce it,
Data is a source for innovation, creativity and job creation
We know the local Data terrain
Compelling reasons for us to participate in data discourse

6. Provide funding for data initiatives Participate in ODOS discourse
WHAT CAN PRIVATE SECTOR DO TO PROMOTE ODOS IN AFRICA ?
Through collaboration, private sector can engage research institutions to understand needs
Provide funding for data initiatives
Participate in ODOS discourse
Support knowledge creation as an investment sector area that thrives on data
Provide infrastructure as and when needed

7. 1 2 3 Joint Minds Consult’s Contribution as a Private Sector
We are about research promotion, knowledge development and management that includes research and data issues
The Board of Directors made a conscious decision to participate in ODOS discourse
Board decision released key company resources: Time, human physical, financial and social capital
JMC was making an investment in the data sector
For analysis on key social economic issues, we need DATA
Hence we are aggressively building our own data bank through our consultancies e.g The Out of School Education for Children project
Process includes conducting Situation Analysis, benchmarking which generates data that can be re-used and shared.
Using our social capital, initiated discussions with partners in Botswana, the international partners in France, UK, the US and Australia
These are partners who have developed critical experience and expertise developing and managing data 2 3

8. With partners, we developed a framework for thinking about ODOS
STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING/ADVOCATING FOR /ODOS IN BOTSWANA
With our local and international partners, facilitated seminars in Botswana in October 2016
With partners, we developed a framework for thinking about ODOS
We participated in producing a position paper to guide ODOS discourse in Botswana
Paper provides a useful framework for operationalising ODOS in Botswana
Paper was presented at the African Open Science side-event in Pretoria in 2016
Joint Minds Consult is official Secretariat of the ODOS national committee
2nd collaborative paper to further enrich thinking about ODOS process is in press

9. WHAT ARE THE LESSONS LEARNT?
Getting the stakeholders together requires skillful application of social capital
Contextual knowledge is key to unlock inertia and ‘siloism’
Brokers are necessary to keep the momentum at each stage
Build trust among stakeholders
Develop a coordination centre- for local and international linkages
Focus on developing a grassroots awareness for the first step
Private sector has a big role to play in promotion of ODOS
JMC has demonstrated modest initiatives on ODOS
It is small but growing company
However, there is a need for large corporations to do the same as they are better positioned for provision of funding and infrastructure .

10.
Thank you!