Open source in the Global South | Global Voices

Discover the people, projects and communities shaping open source across Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond. Explore developer stories, original research, events and resources from the Eclipse Foundation’s Global Voices initiative.
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The industry’s first survey of open source developers across low- and middle-income economies: what they build, what blocks them, and what participation is worth to their careers and countries.
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In October 2026, the Eclipse Foundation brought Open Community Experience (OCX) to Africa for the first time, hosting a free, developer-focused event in Lagos, Nigeria. OCX Africa brought together local developers, open source enthusiasts and industry experts to explore emerging technologies, discover Eclipse Foundation projects and build connections, creating new opportunities for collaboration and participation in the global open source community.
From insightful technical talks to lively discussions about AI and enterprise Java, JavaConnect KE 2026 highlighted the strength and enthusiasm of Kenya’s Java community. In this recap, Ivar Grimstad reflects on the conference experience, shares highlights from his new Jakarta EE and AI presentation, and celebrates the role community-driven events play in fostering innovation and collaboration.
On 19 May 2026, the Eclipse Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) community held its first-ever meetup in India, hosted by Bosch Global Software Technologies in Bengaluru. What began as a conversation just a few months earlier quickly evolved into a landmark community event, demonstrating the extraordinary enthusiasm for software-defined vehicles across the Indian automotive ecosystem.
At JConf Dominicana 2026, Ivar Grimstad explored how Jakarta EE can augment AI, connected with aspiring open source contributors, and experienced the strong community spirit that makes this conference stand out.
Running something in your city? We sponsor, promote, and staff community events across the Global South.
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Featured videos from open source gatherings and thought-leading events, highlighting journeys from local action to global impact. Explore conversations from OSCAFest, deep dives into the state of open source in the Global South, and keynote reflections on how community roots can grow into global change.
Social hashtags: #GlobalVoicesOSS #CodeFromTheSouth
The Global South refers broadly to regions of the world that are often classified as low- and middle-income economies – including countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania. While historically rooted in geopolitical and economic frameworks, the term has evolved to highlight more than income or geography – it emphasises shared experiences, development challenges, and growing opportunities.
Across the Global South, collaboration, adaptability, and local innovation power solutions that meet shared global challenges. Here are some standout features:
Thriving across continents, in countries as varied as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya, and more.
Developer communities in the Global South are expanding rapidly, with younger developers joining open source projects at record pace and shaping the next wave of global creativity and progress.
From grassroots tech solutions to large-scale digital infrastructure, many countries in the Global South are hotbeds of creativity and resilience.
Developers and communities here often face barriers such as limited access to infrastructure, funding, or mentorship – yet continue to contribute meaningfully to global innovation.
Open source thrives on inclusion, collaboration, and access – values that align closely with the needs and strengths of Global South communities. Empowering these voices:
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