Procurement Matters

Governments are the biggest purchasers of goods & services.

• Stated policies and preferences impact vendor behavior
• Procurement is a bigger leaver than grants or credits
• Contract management & evaluation key to strategy
• Little understanding of digital, let alone open source
• 97% of the software Black Duck surveyed in 2025 contained open source software

Shaping Incentives

This has worked before!

• Accessibility (Section 508) has driven vendors globally
• GDPR has likewise shifted with regard to privacy
• Self reporting (VPATS) are of limited use
• Vendor lock-in costs more than the contract
• Everyone is using open source, but few are contributing back

Supporting Local

Do small/medium countries have the expertise?

• Anyone can support open source, but who will
• Typo3 model in Kenya
  • Train an ecosystem of vendors and interested client
• Allow for sub-contracting to build up local experience
  • Digital Services Coalition

Readiness Engagement Ladder

We can incentivize firms to move up their contributions.

• Ad Hoc / Informal
• Basic Compliance & Documentation
• Adopted & Participating (Drupal Certified Partners)
• Advanced Stewardship
• Strategic Ecosystem Partner

Resources and follow-up

• https://www.blackduck.com/resources/analyst-reports/open-source-security-risk-analysis.html
• https://new.drupal.org/association/become-a-drupal-certified-partner
• https://news.typo3.com/article/report-on-typo3-based-government-websites-in-rwanda