Evaluation Bias and Epistemic Inequality in Global Software Development

Abstract

This paper examines fairness and accountability in global software development by focusing on how competence is assessed and valued across unequal regional contexts. We compare software engineers from East Africa (Rwanda and Uganda) and Northwestern Europe (Sweden and the Netherlands), regions that are increasingly connected but embedded in asymmetric technological, economic, and institutional structures. Despite the rapid growth of African technology ecosystems, empirical evidence on everyday engineering practice and evaluation in these contexts remains limited. We present findings from an on-site mixed-methods study with 48 software engineers across four countries. The study combines programming, system design, and code review tasks with semi-structured interviews. Our results reveal consistent gaps between measured performance and perceived competence. Senior engineers in Rwanda often performed at a level comparable to that of their European peers, yet European participants systematically underestimated the competence of East African engineers. We also observed differences in communication styles and organizational practices across regions, reflecting distinct but complementary ways of working.