Licensing and Copyright

Definition of Open Access: Open Access refers to the free, unrestricted online access to published research, allowing readers to view, download, distribute, and use the content, provided the original source is properly cited.

The African Journal of Governance and Development (AJGD) operates under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). This licensing model ensures that the content published in AJGD is accessible to a global audience while protecting the rights of the authors and the integrity of the work.

Key Features of the License

1. Attribution
   Users must give appropriate credit to the original authors and the journal, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. Credit must not suggest the authors or AJGD endorse the user or their use of the work.
2. Non-Commercial Use
   Users may not use the content for commercial purposes. This includes selling, licensing, or using the work in a way that generates revenue.
3. No Derivatives
   Users may not distribute modified versions of the work. The work must be shared in its entirety, without changes or alterations.
4. Free Access
   The license ensures free access to articles for readers worldwide, supporting the journal’s commitment to open access publishing.

What This License Means for Authors and Readers

For Authors

1. Retention of Rights

Authors retain the copyright of their work, granting the Journal the right of the first publication. Authors have the right to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the Journal’s published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this Journal.

1. Non-Commercial Use
   Authors’ work can be shared freely, but it cannot be used for commercial purposes without their permission.
2. Integrity of Work
   The license ensures that the published article cannot be modified, adapted, or remixed. This protects the original content and prevents unauthorised alterations.
3. Attribution
   Proper credit must always be given to the authors, ensuring recognition for their contribution. The citation should include the authors’ names, the article title, and the journal details.
4. Wide Dissemination
   The open-access nature of the license enables authors’ work to reach a broader audience, increasing visibility and impact without any access fees.

For Readers

1. Free Access
   Readers can access, read, and share the articles freely without any subscription or payment, supporting the journal’s open-access mission.
2. Use with Attribution
   Readers can share the work by copying or redistributing it in any format, provided they properly attribute the authors and the journal.
3. Non-Commercial Use Only
   Readers cannot use the articles for commercial purposes, such as selling or incorporating them into profit-generating products.
4. No Modifications
   Readers cannot modify or adapt the work. Articles must be shared in their original form.

Additional Information

For further details about the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, please visit the Creative Commons website at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.en

The African Journal of Governance and Development is committed to fostering open access while maintaining high standards of academic integrity and respect for authorship.