AfricArXiv

AfricArXiv is an open-access repository for preprints of academic publications which are either about Africa or by African scientists.{{cite web |last1=Asiedu |first1=Kwasi Gyamfi |title=A research platform for African scientists will take papers in local languages |url=https://qz.com/africa/1314682/african-scientists-can-submit-research-in-local-african-languages/ |website=Quartz Africa |language=en |date=27 June 2018}} The platform was established in 2018.{{cite journal |last1=Mallapaty |first1=Smriti |title=African scientists launch their own preprint repository |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05543-w |journal=Nature |language=en |doi=10.1038/d41586-018-05543-w |date=25 June 2018|s2cid=158526432 }} It was established to make preprint servers more available in various fields and regions.{{cite web |last1=Garisto |first1=Daniel |title=Preprints Make Inroads Outside of Physics |url=https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201909/preprints.cfm |website=www.aps.org |publisher=American Physical Society |language=en |date=October 2019}} Its establishment happen during trends to provide more digital services to support science in Africa.

From its founding the platform welcomed publications in any African language. In July 2020 the platform began hosting audio and video files.{{cite web |last1=Staines |first1=Heather |title=Investing in a brighter future |url=https://www.researchinformation.info/analysis-opinion/investing-brighter-future |website=www.researchinformation.info |date=23 July 2020}}

The Center for Open Science hosts the platform.{{cite journal |last1=Mallapaty |first1=Smriti |title=Popular preprint servers face closure because of money troubles |journal=Nature |pages=349 |language=en |doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00363-3 |date=13 February 2020|volume=578 |issue=7795 |pmid=32071446 |s2cid=211138911 |doi-access=free }} The cost of operating the servers is significant and that organization takes a fee to cover its costs.

Preprints can be submitted to AfricArXiv via ScienceOpen. Users need to have a verified ORCID digital identifier and should include in their manuscripts a short summary translation in a traditional African language. After a member of the AfricArXiv team has checked the submission for formal criteria and approved the manuscript, it will be posted with a Crossref DOI and CC BY 4.0 attribution license.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=AfricArXiv Preprints|url=https://www.scienceopen.com/collection/2a0d303c-24e0-4a42-a13d-3484c5df6cc0|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}