Barriers and Enablers to Open Access Repository (OAR) Development and Management in African HLIs

Abstract
Purpose: This paper reports on the results of a three-region survey and complementary focus 
group discussions held amongst the AfREN community of regional research and education 
networks (RRENs) in the three main regions overseen by these RENs, i.e., West and Central, 
Eastern and Southern, and Northern Africa.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was led by the Information School, 
University of Sheffield, UK, working in collaboration with WACREN and chief partners, 
COAR and EIFL. Higher learning institution (HLI) librarians in the West and Central region 
also participated in the initial design of the survey. A total of 1,425 questionnaires were 
distributed electronically to a select group of information professionals in all three regions, 
out of which 323 responses were used for analysis. Four focus group discussions with 22 
participants overall were held in conjunction with LIBSENSE workshops in the three regions.
Findings: The findings point clearly to five main areas of concern to HLI librarians regarding 
their capabilities to develop and maintain OAR services, the majority of which were evident
at the institutional level: Funding, Human Capacity, Infrastructure/Technical Capacity, 
Training and Institutional Support