[open-development] Open Data initiatives in Southern Africa

Wed Nov 23 05:31:19 UTC 2011

Hi Tim

Thanks for the response.

On 21 November 2011 22:46, Tim Davies <tim at practicalparticipation.co.uk> wrote:
> Hey Adi,
> Welcome to the open development list. Great to hear about progress on
> SARPAM.
> What sorts of datasets have you managed to get opened up so far? What
> datasets are the prime targets for you?

Most of our work has been focused around sharing procurement
information between SADC member countries. This information is still
considered to be sensitive and even making it available to a closed
forum of participating countries is proving to be a delicate political
affair. While this political wheel slowly turns - we would like to
start to focus on public data to hopefully build some momentum. The
areas that I am particularly interested in are medicines registration
lists, lists of suppliers and manufacturers, registration
requirements, procurement prices and volumes and tenders but the need
will be driven by our user community.

> I know the Kenya open data portal team are planning some outreach across
> Africa in the coming months to pursuade other countries to follow their lead
> on open data which could by good in getting buy in at ministerial levels to
> open data programmes - I'm not sure which countries the Kenya team are
> reaching out to...

any idea of what form that is taking?

> The TI/World Wide Web Foundation 'start at the bottom; start in the middle;
> start at the top' formula for opening access to data is a good framework for
> thinking about the different elements that need to come together for a good
> open data project. There is some good learning in the reports at:
> http://blog.okfn.org/2011/03/22/the-next-ogd-frontier-low-and-middle-income-countries/

Thanks for the links - interesting reading.

> All the best
> Tim
> On Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM, Adi Eyal <adi at sarpam.net> wrote:
>>
>> Hi All
>>
>> I am involved in a DFID-funded project called the Southern African
>> Regional Programme on Access to Medicines (SARPAM). We are working
>> with the SADC secretariat and member states to improve access to
>> medicines in the region through strengthening regional institutions as
>> well facilitating regional cooperation. One facet of this programme is
>> the development of a platform for information sharing across member
>> states. My role in the project is to champion the open sharing of data
>> across the region so as to encourage inter-state collaboration.
>> Already, from the meager data sharing that has taken place, we are
>> seeing that procurement agencies in a number of countries are finding
>> themselves in a more advantageous position when negotiating with
>> pharmaceutical companies.
>>
>> The process of opening up databases is far from easy however as many
>> countries do not have established policies on information sharing and
>> it's easier to restrict access than it is to make data available. I am
>> reaching out to any other organisations and individuals active in the
>> region who may have an interest in this initiative or are involved in
>> related programmes of their own and who may want to share insights.
>>
>> Best Regards
>> Adi
>>
>>
>> --
>> Adi Eyal
>> InfoHub Manager
>>
>> phone +27 (0)11 880 6993 | fax +27 (0)11 880 6980
>> mobile +27 (0)780142469
>> skype adieyalcas
>> www.sarpam.net
>>
>> The information contained in this communication is confidential and
>> may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the
>> individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to
>> receive it. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby
>> notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any
>> action in reliance of the contents of this information is strictly
>> prohibited and may be unlawful. SARPAM is liable for neither the
>> proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this
>> communication or for any delay in its receipt. The views expressed in
>> this communication are not necessarily the views of SARPAM. If you
>> have received this message in error, please notify SARPAM immediately,
>> tel nr +27 11 880 6980.
>>
>> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
>>
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>
>
>
> --
>
>
> http://www.timdavies.org.uk
> 07834 856 303.
> @timdavies
>
> Co-director of Practical Participation:
> http://www.practicalparticipation.co.uk
> --------------------------
> Practical Participation Ltd is a registered company in England and Wales -
> #5381958.
>

-- 
Adi Eyal
InfoHub Manager

phone +27 (0)11 880 6993 | fax +27 (0)11 880 6980
mobile +27 (0)780142469
skype adieyalcas

www.sarpam.net

The information contained in this communication is confidential and
may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the
individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to
receive it. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any
action in reliance of the contents of this information is strictly
prohibited and may be unlawful. SARPAM is liable for neither the
proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this
communication or for any delay in its receipt. The views expressed in
this communication are not necessarily the views of SARPAM. If you
have received this message in error, please notify SARPAM immediately,
tel nr +27 11 880 6980.

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.