Building Repository Infrastructure for Next‑Generation Research

This closing keynote at the WACREN 2026 conference explores how artificial intelligence and geopolitical shifts are reshaping research communication and infrastructure. It highlights the critical role of open, interoperable repositories in enabling data-driven science, including AI training, analysis, and preservation.

Drawing on examples across regions, including Europe, China, the United States, and Latin America, the presentation examines different infrastructure models and their trade-offs. It also addresses challenges such as sustainability, machine access, and digital sovereignty.

The keynote proposes a distinct African approach based on a multi-layered framework combining regional discoverability, national policy alignment, and institutional autonomy. Key recommendations include retaining African research outputs within continental infrastructures, adopting open and interoperable platforms, prioritising strategic data domains, improving metadata quality, and developing a shared African discovery layer inspired by LA Referencia.