Expanding scientific knowledge frontiers: open repositories in developing countries supported by NRENs

The current scenario of Internet operation has brought many challenges and opportunities to science as result of the evolution of technologies and network infrastructures, key enablers to information access at distinct levels. Regarding research and teaching, scientific Open Access (OA) repositories play a key role in the production, dissemination and sharing of knowledge. OA repositories improve the visibility, accessibility and availability of results from teaching and research activities, contributing to the knowledge society through the provision of scientific publications without restrictions.Taking worldwide OA initiatives and the Portuguese experience as case study, this paper analyzes technical challenges and strategies for building open repositories supported by National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in the African context. Considering Mozambique as the main target of this paper, the study of: (i) existing national and international initiatives; (ii) MoRENet -the Mozambique Research and Education Network; and (iii) SABER repository, will support the proposal of a set of directives and policies for the development and sustainability of a common OA platform for scientific and academic national production.We believe that this open repository will bring an undeniable added value for Mozambique knowledge growth, fostering the country development at both scientific and social levels.The authors would like to thank UM documentation services and RCAAP by sharing expertise in OA field. This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia in the scope of the project: PEst-OE/EEI/UI0319/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio