I deeply believe that every human being carries within them a spark of greatness — and that sometimes, all it takes is a tool, an opportunity, or a kind look for that spark to ignite. Free Software is one of those tools: open, accessible to all, and free of restrictions. It is more than a technology — it is a philosophy, a way of telling every young African:
“You have the right to dream, to create, to build your own future. And you don’t need anyone’s permission to do it.”
For where opportunity is absent, frustration grows. And where empowerment is given, dignity is reborn.
Free Software transforms ideas into projects, dreams into enterprises, and problems into tangible solutions through collective engagement and shared purpose. It enables young people to prototype solutions, solve problems in their communities, and — most importantly — create their own jobs. This is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Because where opportunity is absent, frustration grows. And where empowerment is given, dignity is reborn.
Across our continent, these tools are already shaping daily life — often quietly but profoundly: in participatory mapping of our territories, in mobile services connecting remote communities, in SMS systems validating financial transactions and managing irrigation, in citizen engagement platforms, connected hospitals, online schools, and smart vaccination records accessible to all.
This is living proof that progress, when shared, becomes an act of social justice. But this progress must not remain the privilege of a few — it must be the foundation of a new social pact in Africa, one built on digital inclusion. We must break away from inherited models that isolate, consume, and waste, and instead embrace a new path — sober, resilient, and adapted to our realities.
A School Without Walls — Where Everyone Is Both Learner and Teacher
Free Software is also a new way of learning: a school without walls, where everyone is both learner and teacher. These so-called “horizontal trainings” don’t just transmit knowledge — they awaken solidarity, curiosity, and collective intelligence. In these learning circles, young people don’t just receive; they give. They grow — together. And that is where the true strength of a community is born.
Our capitals, our villages, our communities all cry out for a new breath — calling us to imagine systems that are fairer, humbler, more human. To refuse the repetition of an industrial model too often blind to human dignity.
We have everything we need to succeed. All we must do is believe in ourselves, as others once believed in us.
And above all, offer every young African not just the chance to follow — but the freedom to forge their own path.
Florent Youzan