In this joint paper, the Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa) and Digital Science showcase how we have been working with African librarians and researchers to support Open Science projects aiming to decolonise learning in Africa and put the power in the hands of African researchers; provide training and thought leadership in scholarly and science communication which have improved visibility of African researchers’ outputs and contributed to reclaim research sovereignty; and increase the adoption of Digital Science’s Dimensions and Figshareas critical tools to support the future of research, libraries and sustainable development in Africa.