WACREN and ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier) will collaborate on community engagement around the use of persistent identifiers for researchers, works, and organizations in repository data systems and deposit workflows.

ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier for researchers to distinguish their research from those of other researchers.  This is done through integration of the identifiers in key research workflows such as manuscripts and grant submissions.   The process supports automated linkages between researchers and their professional activities, ensuring that their research is recognized.

Commenting on the MoU,  Dr. Boubakar Barry,  CEO of WACREN,  declared that “the promotion of data citation in the region and the consolidated online research profile that ORCID provides will greatly increase the visibility of our researchers and their research”