"In this overview of indigenous publishing in Africa today and the industry’s requirements for the future, Walter Bgoya writes: ‘Three scenarios for the future of publishing in Africa are easily discernible: one, African publishing playing an insignificant role, the source of books and reading material remaining external, and indigenous publishers playing a mediating role between the “European” publisher/producer and the African book market; second, African publishing becoming modestly successful through a long period of trial and error; and third, African publishing playing its full role following a realisation of its strategic importance in the overall development of a country and its being accorded special support.’ Publishing deserves the status of a strategic industry, Bgoya argues, primarily because of the significance of books in education, and for this vision to be realised ‘the first step [...] is to work with all component constituencies of the book chain and with government to evolve and establish a national book policy’. Only if there are clear policies in the areas of education, books and language, backed up by practical implementation, will the conditions be created in which indigenous publishing can grow and flourish. Meanwhile, among the practical self-help options that publishers should consider are joint ventures with overseas publishers; a framework for establishing equitable and mutually beneficial joint ventures is appended to the article." (Introduction)