Books and Digital Publishing in Africa: What Does the Future Hold?

Abstract

There are few generalisations that can be made about Africa, but the huge thirst for knowledge and information throughout the continent is almost certainly one that can. In the past access to written information in Africa has been primarily through printed books. To Western visitors the limited number of books in shops, libraries, and school environments leaps out. A publishing sector that has been limited by lack of investment capital, a large but poor population, and difficult logistics, particularly in rural areas, means that the need for books is not matched by the level of availability and accessibility of books.