Editing, translation and science in Africa

Over the last few years, while managing the Research Cooperative, I have noticed three things: (1) students and researchers in some African countries (those with active universities) are very keen to join our network, (2) very few editors or translators have joined from African countries, and (3) there is increasing foreign investment in Africa, and this is creating a greater need for higher education and research in Africa, in order for African nations to benefit from such investment.

Putting these three observations together, it seems to me that any editors and translators that choose to support the communication needs of African researchers and publishers will find that there is a large and growing market for their services, and that the payment levels that can be sustained by African researchers and institutions will rise over time.

If members of this group would like to form a team to investigate these suggestions, then I can easily create a group called "Research Co-op Africa".

I cannot manage such a group properly myself, but can contribute in various ways.

Would anyone in our network like to lead such a group?

The ideal result, perhaps, would be the formation of independent spin-off companies that can actually operate in the different regions of Africa and provide strong support for scientific publishing across the continent.

Comments in reply to this message are welcome.