Africa's Book Industry [Infographic]: Key Stats and the Roadmap from UNESCO

An analysis of UNESCO’s report on Africa’s book industry summarizes key findings, offering a snapshot of Africa’s current book market share, barriers to book access, and the roadmap for Africa to thrive in the industry.

22nd August, 2025

Why Africa’s Book Industry Matters

Africa’s publishing industry has great potential. According to UNESCO's book industry report, the African book industry possesses immense cultural richness and economic potential—but also faces significant challenges in access, trade, and policy support.

Currently, the African continent shares only 5.4% of the global book publishing market that was valued at USD 121.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to rise to USD 164.16 billion by 2032.

But with the right reforms, there is a publishing growth potential for Africa that could rise to US$18.5 billion in annual revenues while boosting local economies and strengthening the African book industry on the global scale.

Certainly, this possible leap will not only benefit African authors and publishers but also their educators, librarians, policymakers, and investors who play a role in promoting African culture and literacy.

Analysis of Data Insights

Market Snapshot—Current Africa's Book Market Share vs. Potential BMS

As stated earlier, if well-coordinated reforms and investment strategies are put in place, the projected annual rise in revenues would directly mitigate the problem of unemployment amongst young people, improve Africa's educational standards, and proudly project African stories globally.

Book Access & Infrastructure Gaps

On average, there is only one bookshop for every 116,000 people and one public library for every 189,000 people, according to the UNESCO report.

These numbers highlight the barriers millions of Africans face when trying to access books, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

However, across Africa, initiatives by individuals, organizations, and NGOs are working tirelessly to support government efforts in expanding readership and improving access to books for their underserved populations.

In Kenya for example, Storymoja hosts the Storymoja National Read Aloud program. Tens of thousands of children read the same text together simultaneously, and it also runs literary festivals and book clubs to promote young people's reading culture.

Similarly, the FunDza Literacy Trust in South Africa shares teen-friendly stories via its free mobile platform, encouraging reading and writing in multiple local languages – promoting cultural heritage.

The Worldreader, in partnership with Compassion International, also shares digital books with over 30,000 children in Ghana using BookSmart on tablets or mobile phones—expanding reading opportunities even where physical books are not available.

In Nigeria, many initiatives are working to close the access gaps, including the One Book for a Child project and the Global Vision Educational Foundation, amongst others.

Louis Lucas Publishing, through its Speak Right, Read Right Advocacy Initiative (SRRRAdvocacyi), makes the move to provide spoken-English textbooks and storybooks for primary school pupils in rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria.

The continuous efforts of these organizations in the long run would help contribute to strengthening Africa's book publishing industry, expanding readership and building a strong reading culture among Africans.

Digital Leap and Innovation

Despite the infrastructure challenges faced in Africa, digital platforms are extending opportunities to African authors.

Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and others are enabling wider publication, giving access to African authors to publish their stories in e-book and audiobook formats.

Digital publishing, however, reduces the need for physical distribution networks and allows readers to access books directly through their devices—an important step in democratizing knowledge and fostering inclusivity.

Culture and Global Recognition

Africa’s literary culture is really thriving. Every year across her continents, over 270 book festivals and 200 professional associations are held, showcasing creativity and strengthening communities.

UNESCO has also recognized several African cities as World Book Capitals, including Conakry in 2017, Accra in 2023, and Rabat in 2026.

On the global stage, African writers are earning prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize, the Prix Goncourt, and the Booker Prize—proof that African stories resonate worldwide.

UNESCO’s Three-Pillar Roadmap

Strengthening Laws and Institutions

Most African countries lack dedicated book industry legislation beyond copyright.

UNESCO recommends modernizing copyright enforcement, creating national book councils, and establishing domestic ISBN agencies to give the industry stronger governance and credibility.

Building Strong Domestic Markets

The report stresses the importance of integrating the book industry into national industrial strategies.

This includes developing financing mechanisms for publishers, encouraging textbook procurement policies that prioritize local content, and offering incentives for exports.

By doing so, African publishers can build resilient businesses that compete globally.

Growing Readership and Access

To expand readership, governments and stakeholders must invest in public libraries, support digital publishing platforms, and launch nationwide reading campaigns.

UNESCO also emphasizes the need for regular national reading surveys to gather data and measure progress—ensuring policies are guided by evidence.

What this Means for Stakeholders

Policymakers

Governments have a critical role to play in passing book-sector laws, funding public libraries, and supporting domestic publishing through education policies.

These reforms can create a more sustainable industry and strengthen cultural identity.

Publishers and Investors

Publishers and investors should explore opportunities in digital platforms, educational publishing, and exports.

By investing in scalable publishing solutions, they can meet Africa’s growing demand for learning materials while also opening new revenue streams.

Educators and Librarians

Teachers and librarians are central to developing a reading culture. They can join national literacy drives, adopt digital learning tools, and engage local communities to spark curiosity and promote lifelong learning among young readers.

Conclusion – From Insight to Action

Africa’s book industry stands at a crossroads: it has the potential to contribute billions to the economy, create jobs, and showcase African creativity to the world.

UNESCO’s report provides a clear roadmap—strengthen laws, build strong domestic markets, and expand access to reading.

The momentum is already visible, with international literary recognition and a growing festival scene.

What’s needed now is bold action from governments, publishers, educators, and investors to turn potential into reality.

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