From short-term rentals to last-mile logistics, in the last decade scholars have charted the wide-ranging impacts of digital platforms and platformization processes. However, just like in other fields of inquiry, platform research has been bedevilled by deep asymmetries in knowledge production and circulation, often privileging the voices of scholars based in well-resourced Western universities.To attend to this, the African Center for Cities, with support from University of Edinburgh and the British Academy, are developing a network focussed on writing and researching platformization, from an African perspective.

The kick off event was a 3-day writing workshop on How to Write About Platformization from Africa. This collaborative workshop was co-designed in partnership with African early career researchers. In addition to a wide range of writing activities, the event included a keynote address by Prof. Divine Fuh ‘Towards Africa-Centred AI’.

A 2nd writing workshop funded by the British Academy is being planned in the early parts of 2025. The organizing team included: Amir Anwar, Liza Cirolia, Andrea Pollio, Tammy Willks, Michel Wahome and Shari Daya.