Author Charges

The Journal of Digital Transformation in Africa operates on a cost-recovery basis, ensuring that the journal is able to maintain its high standards of publication while remaining accessible to the academic and professional community. The following costs apply:

Article Processing Charge (APC)

  • An Article Processing Charge (APC) of R3,000 (South African Rand) is payable upon acceptance of a manuscript for publication. This fee covers the costs associated with the management and administration of the Journal.

1. Copy Editing

  • Once a manuscript is accepted, it undergoes professional copy editing to ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to the journal’s formatting guidelines. The copy editing fee is included in the APC. This process ensures that manuscripts are grammatically correct, stylistically polished, and ready for publication.

2. Galley Preparation

  • The journal ensures that each article is professionally formatted and prepared for both online and print publication. This galley preparation process includes typesetting, layout design, and preparation of the final, publishable version of the article. The cost for galley preparation is covered under the APC.

3. Administrative Costs

  • A portion of the APC also covers administrative costs, which include:
    • Journal management, including online submission system maintenance.
    • Coordinating communication between authors, reviewers, and the editorial team.
    • Managing the day-to-day operations of the journal to ensure smooth processing from submission to publication.

No Submission Fees

  • The Journal does not charge a fee for manuscript submission. The Article Processing Charge (APC) is payable only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication.

APC Waiver policy

The Journal of Digital Transformation in Africa acknowledges the unique challenges faced by many academic institutions and researchers across the African continent. Limited research funding, resource-constrained institutions, and the unequal distribution of opportunities to disseminate knowledge often hinder the participation of African scholars in global academic conversations.

To address these challenges and support equitable access to academic publishing, the journal has adopted a waiver policy tailored specifically for authors from selected institutions. The waiver policy applies only after verification that the author’s affiliated institution does not provide publication funding. 

This policy is grounded in the following principles:

  • Promoting Equity in Knowledge Sharing
    Many African researchers operate in environments where their institutions do not provide financial support for publication charges. The waiver policy ensures that lack of financial resources does not become a barrier to sharing valuable research, fostering greater inclusivity in academic publishing.

  • Encouraging Regional Representation
    The African continent’s contributions to digital transformation are significant, yet underrepresented in global academic literature. By removing financial barriers, the waiver policy encourages more submissions from African researchers, enriching the discourse with regionally relevant perspectives and solutions.

  • Fostering Research and Development
    In the context of Africa’s development agenda, digital transformation is a critical driver of innovation and growth. The journal’s waiver policy aligns with efforts to support African researchers in advancing knowledge that addresses local and global challenges.

  • Reducing Financial Barriers to Excellence
    The waiver policy ensures that articles which meet the journal’s rigorous peer-review standards are published regardless of the author’s financial circumstances. This approach helps maintain the journal’s quality while providing opportunities for researchers from underfunded institutions.

  • Supporting Institutional Growth
    Many African institutions are working to build their research capabilities and global standing. By offering a waiver policy, the journal supports these efforts, enabling institutions to showcase their researchers’ work on an international platform.

  • When does this waiver apply.

    The waiver policy applies only after verification that the author’s affiliated institution does not provide publication funding. This ensures that resources are allocated to authors and institutions genuinely in need, aligning with the journal’s mission of accessibility and sustainability.

    This policy is a critical step in levelling the playing field, ensuring that African voices are amplified in the conversation on digital transformation and its impact on the continent’s future.