Open access initiative and the developing world

In a world of inequality, the open access initiative seeks to provide people all over the world (irrespective of where they live) with equal access to knowledge and information. This paper examines the concept of open access initiative from the perspective of the developing world, highlights the benefits developing countries stand to gain from the open access initiative, as well as the obstacles to the realisation of the initiative, in the developing world. The paper also provides recommendations as to what governments, educational and research institutions in developing countries, as well as organisations and groups in developed countries, need to do in order to facilitate the realisation of the noble objectives of the open access initiative in the developing world.