At the very least, the FOSS strategy encourages an explicit social embeddedness
in local communities rather than an importation from societies where technologies
have been developed with different problems in mind. This dovetails
with the ‘appropriate technology’ and ‘people-centred development’ agendas that
have become a significant element in recent development priorities.18 The use
of FOSS also lessens dependence on non-domestic suppliers and reduces financial
transfers from sub-Saharan Africa to the US and EU.Although this may not
transform state finances across the continent, a reduction in transfers must be
welcome. Furthermore, supporting the development of a sector using FOSS may,
depending on shifts in the global software market, allow African companies to
develop more vibrant local software markets. Inasmuch as many problems are
shared across the continent, local software markets may develop a more regional
dimension.