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Creating science and technology information databases for developing and sustaining sub-Saharan Africa's indigenous knowledge

Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, 6 Benue Road, Box 22133, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, willieezi{at}yahoo.com

In this article, indigenous knowledge is defined as holistic of all forms of knowledge emanating from an indigenous community. The critical relevance of local science and technology information (STI) databases in the development and sustainability of Africa's indigenous knowledge is discussed. It is advocated that local African STI databases should be considered required development infrastructures because they will provide information resources that are more adequate for national planning and management than their international counterparts. Furthermore, the various stakeholders and their roles are identified and the policy environment of STI databases in Africa examined. Constraints notwithstanding, local databases for African STI resources are envisaged to enhance global distribution and sharing of Africa's indigenous knowledge.

Key Words: information policy • science and technology information • databases • indigenous knowledge • sustainable developments

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This version was published on December 1, 2007

Journal of Information Science, Vol. 33, No. 6, 737-751 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0165551506077374


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ezinwa Nwagwu, W. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?