This Collection explores how, why, and to what end scientists working in African countries share and re-use data, and the extent to which these activities relate to the priorities, practices, and policies of data management and scientific discovery that are associated with research elsewhere. These papers highlight the challenges of implementing Open Data in low-resourced research environments and document the significant impact – positive or negative - that a shift towards openness can have in the African context. They thereby underscore the need for Open Science policies and infrastructures to learn from diverse research conditions, resources and goals around the world. Guest Editors: Sabina Leonelli, University of Exeter Brian Rappert, University of Exeter Louise Bezuidenout, University of Oxford