2026 AfLIA Open Education Week Virtual Summit: Open Education, Open Possibilities
Date: 3-4 March, 2026
The African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA), in collaboration with OER Africa, is pleased to announce the 2026 AfLIA Open Education Week Virtual Summit, scheduled for 3–4 March 2026. The virtual summit will convene librarians, educators, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore how Open Education can expand access, improve equity, and transform learning outcomes across Africa.
Theme: Open Education, Open Possibilities
Open Education is reshaping the global learning landscape by expanding access to open educational resources and practices. It creates new pathways for inclusive, quality, and equitable education. This is particularly important for Africa, which has the world’s youngest population, with over 60 percent under the age of 25 and a median age of 19. Many young people and adult learners still face significant barriers to education due to inadequate resources and persistent equity gaps. Open Education presents an opportunity to address these challenges and to support Africa’s transformation into a global knowledge and innovation powerhouse.
AfLIA strongly believes that African libraries have critical roles to play in bridging digital and resource gaps. Library professionals possess expertise in technology, copyright, and licensing, positioning them as key partners in advancing Open Education. The 2026 virtual summit seeks to bring together stakeholders to share research, case studies, emerging models, and visionary ideas that demonstrate how Open Education can enable transformative, inclusive, and equitable education across the continent.
Presentation tracks
The summit will address the theme Open Education, Open Possibilities through six thematic tracks:
- Libraries as catalysts of Open Education
- Policy, governance, and institutional strategies for openness
- Local knowledge, culture, and community-centered openness
- Multistakeholder initiatives, partnerships, and sustainability of Open Education initiatives
- Open Education for skills development and lifelong learning
- Artificial Intelligence and Open Education
Who should attend
The summit is designed for a diverse audience, including:
- Library and Information Science (LIS) practitioners in all library types
- LIS educators and policymakers
- Educators and instructional designers
- Stakeholders working in the Open Education field
- Organizations and professionals partnering with African libraries
Expected outcomes
The Virtual Summit seeks to explore how African library professionals and strategic stakeholders can play definitive roles in entrenching Open Education practices across the continent. By the end of the summit, participants are expected to:
- Gain a deeper understanding of Open Education and the role of libraries in contextualized OER development, training, and advocacy.
- Expand their knowledge of multistakeholder collaborations and policy frameworks for institutional adoption of OERs.
- Understand how Open Education Practices can support adult learners, non-traditional students, and flexible learning pathways that enhance workforce development and digital skills.
- Learn how libraries can collaborate with communities to use Open Education for empowerment and cultural preservation.
- Learn how to ethically and responsibly use Artificial Intelligence for Open Education.
- Join a growing network of practitioners advancing Open Education Practices in Africa.
Registration
No fees will be charged for the virtual summit. However, all intending presenters and participants are expected to register here.
Programme
The full two-day programme is available below:
| PROGRAMME AfLIA OPEN EDUCATION WEEK VIRTUAL SUMMIT TUESDAY, 3RD AND WEDNESDAY, 4TH MARCH 2026 THEME: OPEN EDUCATION, OPEN POSSIBILITIES | ||
| DAY 1- TUESDAY- 3RD MARCH 2026 | ||
| 9.00 -9.25 | OPENING OF CONFERENCE Chairperson: Dr Helena Asamoah Hassan, ED, AfLIA | |
| 9.00 – 9.05 9.05 – 9.10 9.10 – 9.20 9.20 – 9.25 | Guests and participants’ Interaction Introduction of Dignitaries & Chairperson Chairperson / Welcome Address Opening of Summit | Dr Nkem Osuigwe Dr Helena Asamoah Hassan, ED, AfLIA Dr Helena Asamoah Hassan, ED, AfLIA |
| 9.25 – 9.35 | Virtual Break | |
| 9.40 – 12.45 | Session 1 – Libraries as catalysts of Open Education / Policy, Governance, and Institutional Strategies for Openness Moderator: Dr Gloria Techie-Donkor (Secretary – ALLCS, AfLIA) | |
| 9.40 – 10.05 | Keynote Speaker: Prof Jane-Frances Agbu, (Commonwealth of Learning) Open Education as a Strategic Response to Graduate Employability Challenges in Higher Education | |
| 10.05 – 11.20 | Panel Discussion: Open Education, Open Possibilities Panel: Dr. Tony Lelliot (SAIDE), & Dr. Igor Lesko (OE Global) Moderator: Monge Tlaka (Neil Butcher & Associates, SA) | |
| 11.25 – 11.45 | JIBRIL, Lynn: Libraries as Catalysts for Open Education and Open Opportunities: Perspectives from Botswana and Africa. | |
| 11.50 – 12.10 | JAMES, Bukola & ADEGBOYE, Barakat : Libraries as Gateways to Open Knowledge: Advancing Open Education in Africa through the EduWiki Hub | |
| 12.15 – 12.30 | Q & A: Moderator | |
| 12.35 -12.45 | Discussions, Takeaways, and close for the day – Moderator | |
| DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY – 4th March 2026 | ||
| 9.00 – 10.20 | Session: 3 Open Education for skills development and Lifelong Learning / Artificial Intelligence and Open Education Moderator: Mrs Mutinta Nabuyanda, Southern African Representative -AfLIA | |
| 9.05 – 9.25 | ALLAMAGANI, Khali (PhD) & IBIKUNLE, Gladys Omolola (PhD), Strengthening Research Participation among Librarians in Nigeria: Open Access Knowledge, AI Readiness, and Institutional Support, A correlational Study. | |
| 9.30 – 9.50 | CHINGOVO, Richard The Role of Libraries in Facilitating Open Education Resources for Skills Development and Lifelong Learning in Higher Education. | |
| 9.55 – 10.15 | Open Knowledge Ecosystem, African Library Sector, and AfLIA | |
| 10.20 – 10.40 | Dr Sadiat Adetoro Salau Librarians’ Engagement in Climate Literacy Conversations through Open Education Resources | |
| 10.45 -11.05 | FALL, Assane Open Biblio Lab: Les bibliothèques publiques comme laboratoires d’éducation ouverte, de données ouvertes et d’autonomisation des jeunes au Sénégal | |
| 11.10 – 11.30 | BANDEIRA, Vivaz Marcos Regulatórios do EaD como Base para a Educação Aberta em Angola. | |
| 11.35 – 11.55 | Q & A | |
| 12.00 – 12. 10 | Discussions, Takeaways, and close for the day – Moderator | |
| 12.15 – 12.25 | Closing remarks and closing of the Summit: Dr MacAnthony Cobblah, Vice President -AfLIA | |
| Thank you | ||
We invite librarians, educators, researchers, policymakers, and partners across Africa and beyond to participate in this important conversation and contribute to shaping the future of Open Education on the continent.