"Back in June 2019 the International Publishers Association (IPA) stated that 40 African publishers’ associations had gathered ahead of a two-day IPA seminar in Nairobi, as the International Publishers Association signed a Memoranda of Understanding with the African Publishers Network and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa to formalise the IPA’s commitment to the region. “Straight after the signing”, the report said, “the three organizations took advantage of the presence of the heads of 40 African publishers’ associations to set out the first steps of the newly formalised partnerships.” This is a welcome development, especially as it has been generally recognized that book professional associations are still weak in many African countries, often due to lack of resources and skills. Several are dormant, inaccessible, or carry little clout, while others seem to have ceased activities altogether. They are very much in need of new energy, and new vision." (Abstract)