The SADC-wide network “it@ab – Information Technology in African Business” recently held a two days International Conference in Lusaka, Zambia on “Smooth integration of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) into existing software environments”. The SADC region was challenged to adopt FOSS as a viable route towards affordable ICTs and business development at the local level. The event was supported by the German development organization InWEnt, Capacity Building International, Germany and ran from the 18th to the 19th of October 2005. In his introductory remarks, Mr Balthas Seibold, the InWEnt Senior Project Manager for the it@ab project said the aim of the conference was in line with the UN Millennium Development Goal number 8 that emphasized partnership, progress and participation. For more information on the conference, see press release on the it@ab website (now in the Internet Archive).