This pan-African endeavour aims to position African scientists at the cutting edge of data-intensive science by stimulating interactivity and creating opportunity through the development of efficiencies of scale, the creation of critical mass through shared capacities, and amplifying impact through a commonality of purpose and voice. The founding members of the AOSP are operationalising the platform, to be initiated during a meeting of the founding members and international funders during 02-03 September 2019, hosted by Dr Ismail Serageldin of the Library of Alexandria. It is anticipated that the fully-fledged platform will be launched in 2020. The DST, NRF, the International Council of Science, CODATA, and the SA Academy of Science, actively participate in the initiative.