The barriers to entry for developing nations are high in terms of purchasing software, hardware, and making the required expertise available to exploit modern technologies. Developing countries have many priorities to contend in the provision of basic needs - food supply, water, shelter, healthcare etc. However, we now come to understand that ICTs can support these basic priorities, and ultimately, human development objectives via knowledge sharing.

The prevalence of pirated software in developing countries is a cause for concern. Open Source can be a viable, cheaper and affordable vehicle that enterprises and individuals may use without incurring copyright infringement. Open Source users have more control over their software and applications. Users make changes to the software specific to the needs of the organisation or individual.

There there are currently little in terms of local language capabilities that can help empower local communities. Because markets are too small for major software developers to justify investments in "localization" efforts, open source represents the best opportunity for the creation of local language fonts and content.

Open source activities are sporadic and communities not well connected for discussion of common concerns. Lack of information and understanding sets the community farther apart. Efforts are needed to actively share information and experiences on Open Source.