How to get involved and help build inclusive tech communities

Apply these lessons from Open Source Community Africa to your community.

Edidiong “Didi” Askipo, a Senior Developer Advocate and community manager at Open Source Community Africa, sat down with the All Things Open team to share insights into the growth of open source communities in Africa and how they are enabling more people to contribute to the tech space. With a background in computer science and a passion for community-building, Didi highlights the importance of fostering diverse voices in open source spaces, including not only developers but also designers and technical writers. Through her work, she emphasizes the power of sharing knowledge and making contributions, not just in tech but in building supportive, inclusive communities.

A major part of Didi’s journey has been seeing the evolution of Open Source Community Africa (OSCA). What started as a small group of individuals in a region where tech resources were scarce has now blossomed into a thriving community of thousands. She discusses the initial struggles of accessing technology, such as the lack of affordable laptops, reliable internet, and power supply, which present significant barriers to tech participation in many African countries. Despite these challenges, the community has persevered, and the number of active open source contributors in Africa continues to grow.

One key to OSCA’s success has been its focus on education and hands-on workshops. During their festivals, they host workshops that go beyond lectures, allowing participants to make their first open source contributions right there. This hands-on learning is extended through smaller meetups across various sub-chapters, ensuring that everyone has access to guidance and mentorship. Didi believes this approach, where community members actively engage with the content and with each other, is what makes OSCA’s efforts so impactful.

Didi’s passion for community building and developer relations is rooted in her own experiences. As a young student, she was inspired by tech talks and developer events, which motivated her to pursue a career in software engineering. The realization that sharing knowledge could help others in the same way inspired her to pursue a career as a developer advocate, where she could combine her love for technology with her desire to mentor and guide others.

Key takeaways

• Put yourself out there: Didi emphasizes that even if you’re early in your career, the knowledge you have is valuable to someone else. Don’t wait until you feel like an expert—share your journey and experiences to inspire others.
• Hands-on experience is key: Whether it’s contributing to open source or improving as a software engineer, Didi advises that the best way to learn is by doing. Attending talks and reading about topics is great, but you need to actively practice what you learn to make real progress.
• Community is everything: Building a supportive community is central to success, both in open source and in tech careers. Didi stresses that tech is not just about the tools; it’s about the people you meet and the relationships you build along the way.

Conclusion

Didi’s work with Open Source Community Africa showcases the power of open source communities, particularly in regions where access to technology is limited. By focusing on education, mentorship, and hands-on experience, OSCA has created a sustainable ecosystem where people can contribute (for the first time) and grow, regardless of their technical background. Didi’s advice for aspiring developers and contributors is simple but powerful: Put yourself out there, embrace the learning process, and be active in your community.

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