In a world of inequality, the open access initiative seeks to provide people all over the world (irrespective of where they live) with equal access to knowledge and information. This paper examines the concept of open access initiative from the perspective of the developing world. Highlighting the benefits developing countries stands to gain from the open access initiative as well as the obstacles to the realization of the open access initiative in the developing world. The paper also provides recommendations as to what governments, educational and research institutions in developing countries as well as organizations and groups in developed countries need to do in order to facilitate the realization of the noble objectives of the open access initiative in the developing world.