LIBSENSE, in collaboration with TogoRER, has hosted the LIBSENSE Symposium on Open Science. The event convened policymakers, researchers, librarians, network engineers, social innovators, and development partners to explore how open science and shared digital infrastructure can improve the visibility, accessibility, and impact of research in Togo. Opening the symposium, the Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Gado Tchangbedji, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to placing science, innovation, and digital transformation at the heart of national development. He stressed that modern higher education depends on reliable, secure, and interoperable digital infrastructure, describing TogoRER, in collaboration with WACREN, as a strategic pillar for strengthening connectivity, integrating institutions, and advancing academic sovereignty. WACREN CEO, Dr. Eyouléki T. G. Venant Palanga, highlighted open science as a catalyst for development and scientific sovereignty across West and Central Africa. He noted that stronger regional collaboration, shared services, and open access to knowledge and data can accelerate innovation and address societal challenges, while reaffirming WACREN’s support for sustainable infrastructure and policy frameworks in Togo. The programme combined technical and policy discussions. Administrators and network engineers examined infrastructure, cybersecurity, interoperability, and service performance, while broader sessions focused on building a national open science roadmap. Speakers addressed open access, the role of National Research and Education Networks, and the transition to diamond open access publishing, with WACREN presenting its PublishNow platform to support fee-free scholarly journals. Open data, particularly for climate research, was also highlighted as a priority. Trust & Identity Day On January 29, attention shifted to technical aspects under the main theme of trust and identity. Network administrators and engineers from educational institutions discussed optimising university digital infrastructure and improving system interoperability. These exchanges enabled the sharing of practical experiences and the identification of priorities to improve the reliability of academic service infrastructures. Experts from WACREN particularly emphasised the importance of building local capacity to ensure the sustainability of the solutions implemented. TogoRER Community Day The final day, January 30, was dedicated to the TogoRER community. This gathering highlighted the national network’s achievements in supporting Togolese institutions and strengthened collaboration among member organisations. Discussions focused on strategic perspectives for the future, including Togo’s integration into regional and international research networks. The day reaffirmed TogoRER’s central role in strengthening academic digital sovereignty and building a sustainable collaborative infrastructure. Beyond the three-day event, the Lomé symposium forms part of a broader movement. The LIBSENSE initiative, Library & Scholarly Communication in Africa Network for Open Science Environment, aims to promote open access to research publications and data, strengthen digital infrastructures, and enhance the international visibility of African researchers. By encouraging open science policies, it also supports resource sharing and inter-institutional collaboration, two key drivers of academic excellence.
