Welcome! We’re incredibly excited to share that OpenGov Africa will be applying to participate in Google Summer of Code for the very first time!! 🎉🚀
This is a huge milestone for our community, and we are thrilled to open our doors to contributors from across the globe who are passionate about open governance, civic technology, transparency, and public accountability in Africa.
Whether you’re new to open source or already an experienced contributor, we’re glad you’re here.
OpenGov Africa is a community-driven organization working to strengthen democratic governance in Africa through open data, civic tech, research, policy engagement, and open-source collaboration.
GSoC 2026 gives us an exciting opportunity to:
- Mentor new contributors
- Build impactful open-source tools
- Grow a sustainable contributor community
- Invest in the next generation of open governance leaders
As this is our first year participating in GSoC, we’re coming in with:
- High enthusiasm 💙
- Strong mentor support
- A welcoming, beginner-friendly environment
- Clear documentation and guidance
- A community that genuinely wants you to succeed
We’re learning, growing, and building together — and you’ll be part of that story.
All essential documentation for OpenGov Africa GSoC lives here 👇🏾
👉 https://github.com/OpenGovAfrica/gsoc/tree/main/docs
You’ll find:
- Contributor guidelines
- Proposal templates
- Project ideas
- Timelines and expectations
- Community processes and workflows
If you’re ever unsure what to do next, start with the docs.
- Read through the documentation carefully
- Join our community conversations
- Explore project ideas and ask questions
- Start contributing early (we love early engagement!)
- Draft a thoughtful proposal and get feedback
This program rewards curiosity, communication, and consistency — not perfection.
You’re not alone. Ever.
We strongly encourage you to:
- Ask questions early
- Share ideas openly
- Request feedback often
- Engage respectfully with mentors and peers
Our goal is not just to ship code — but to help you grow as an open-source contributor and leader even after GSoC. Take a look at our Growth Pathways
Thank you for your interest in OpenGov Africa’s GSoC journey.
We’re honored to be taking this step — and even more excited to take it with you.
Let’s build open governance, together 💚