The African Book Industry: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities for Growth
Deep Insights
Paris: UNESCO (2025), 249 pp.
Contains illustrations, acronyms p. 13
ISBN 978-92-3-100769-9
CC BY-SA
Other editions: also published in French
"Thanks to its outstanding literary talent and growing number of success stories, Africa’s book industry holds immense potential. Although the continent as a whole still relies heavily on imports and foreign publishing houses, it accounted for 5.4% of the global publishing market in 2023, generating approximately US$7 billion in revenue annually. This is why, based on appropriate measures and policies in place, the continent’s book industry is poised to see market opportunities of up to US$18.5 billion in the coming years, with educational publishing alone representing a possible US$13 billion. For the first time, a comprehensive mapping of the book industry across 54 African countries has been conducted by UNESCO. This analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Africa’s book industry at both subregional and continental levels. It also provides valuable insights to inform evidence‑based policymaking and strategic planning across the sector. To unlock this potential, the report proposes strategic recommendations aimed at developing the African book industry, while ensuring that Africans can shape their own narratives and safeguard Africa’s cultural and linguistic diversity. UNESCO calls on policymakers, publishers, booksellers, librarians, authors and their representative organizations to collaborate in transforming Africa’s book industry into a key driver for sustainable development." (Short summary)
PART 1: TRENDS IN THE AFRICAN BOOK INDUSTRY, 15
A vibrant book ecosystem -- A steady progress towards the formalization of legal and institutional frameworks -- A gradual adaptation to digital innovation -- An encouraging commitment to gender equality and inclusion
PART 2: CHALLENGES FACING THE AFRICAN BOOK INDUSTRY, 25
Insufficient and unstructured policies and support measures -- Reliance on foreign book industries -- Difficulties in access to books and reading promotion -- Lack of publishing reflecting the continent’s linguistic diversity -- Lack of specific educational and training programmes
PART 3: STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH, 37
Strengthening integrated legal and institutional frameworks -- Developing a National Book Policy (NBP) -- Establishing national book development councils (NBDCs) -- Building a strong domestic market for local publishers -- Increasing access to books and promoting readership
PART 4: SUBREGIONAL AND NATIONAL MAPPINGS, 49
Subregional mappings -- Algeria -- Angola -- Benin -- Botswana -- Burkina Faso -- Burundi -- Cabo Verde -- Cameroon -- Central African Republic -- Chad -- Comoros -- Congo -- Côte d’Ivoire -- Democratic Republic of the Congo – Djibouti – Egypt -- Equatorial Guinea – Eritrea – Eswatini – Ethiopia – Gabon – Gambia – Ghana – Guinea -- Guinea-Bissau – Kenya – Lesotho – Liberia – Libya – Madagascar – Malawi – Mali – Mauritania – Mauritius – Morocco – Mozambique – Namibia – Niger – Nigeria – Rwanda -- Sao Tome and Principe – Senegal – Seychelles -- Sierra Leone – Somalia -- South Africa -- South Sudan – Sudan – Togo – Tunisia – Uganda -- United Republic of Tanzania – Zambia -- Zimbabwe
Annex: Foundations and historical changes in African literatures, 243
A vibrant book ecosystem -- A steady progress towards the formalization of legal and institutional frameworks -- A gradual adaptation to digital innovation -- An encouraging commitment to gender equality and inclusion
PART 2: CHALLENGES FACING THE AFRICAN BOOK INDUSTRY, 25
Insufficient and unstructured policies and support measures -- Reliance on foreign book industries -- Difficulties in access to books and reading promotion -- Lack of publishing reflecting the continent’s linguistic diversity -- Lack of specific educational and training programmes
PART 3: STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH, 37
Strengthening integrated legal and institutional frameworks -- Developing a National Book Policy (NBP) -- Establishing national book development councils (NBDCs) -- Building a strong domestic market for local publishers -- Increasing access to books and promoting readership
PART 4: SUBREGIONAL AND NATIONAL MAPPINGS, 49
Subregional mappings -- Algeria -- Angola -- Benin -- Botswana -- Burkina Faso -- Burundi -- Cabo Verde -- Cameroon -- Central African Republic -- Chad -- Comoros -- Congo -- Côte d’Ivoire -- Democratic Republic of the Congo – Djibouti – Egypt -- Equatorial Guinea – Eritrea – Eswatini – Ethiopia – Gabon – Gambia – Ghana – Guinea -- Guinea-Bissau – Kenya – Lesotho – Liberia – Libya – Madagascar – Malawi – Mali – Mauritania – Mauritius – Morocco – Mozambique – Namibia – Niger – Nigeria – Rwanda -- Sao Tome and Principe – Senegal – Seychelles -- Sierra Leone – Somalia -- South Africa -- South Sudan – Sudan – Togo – Tunisia – Uganda -- United Republic of Tanzania – Zambia -- Zimbabwe
Annex: Foundations and historical changes in African literatures, 243
