The British Council in a bid to explore evolving publishing sector in Africa has launched a report, Publishing Futures: A Study of the Publishing Landscapes in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe report.

At the virtual event, which gathered industry stakeholders, creatives, and policymakers from around the world, key trends and challenges in the region’s publishing landscape were discussed.

According to the report, the innovative publishing models are thriving as the rise of digital platforms such as WhatsApp is revolutionising the way books are marketed and distributed across Africa. This trend opens up new possibilities for local authors, especially in countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe, where self-publishing has gained momentum. However, distribution challenges persist for writers, despite growing digital accessibility.

In a statement, signed by Regional Senior Communications Manager, British Council, Nahla Sulaiman, indigenous language publishing is expanding as demand for books in African indigenous languages is rising, highlighting the importance of multilingualism in the region’s literary future.

“Initiatives like Jacana Media’s Vela Books in South Africa are championing these efforts, ensuring that African stories are told in local languages, furthering cultural preservation,” she said.

She added that audiobooks and digital reading platforms are leading innovation and championing a new wave of storytelling. Such platforms are not only expanding the reach of African narratives but are also creating new opportunities for local publishers to thrive in the global marketplace.

The report however raised concern on the ongoing issue of piracy and copyright infringement, particularly in Zimbabwe. The report calls for stronger protective measures to safeguard the rights of local authors and publishers, ensuring that they can benefit from their creative outputs.

“African publishers are increasingly turning to crowdfunding and grants to finance their projects. This innovative approach is enabling creative professionals to bring their works to life despite the economic challenges faced by the region’s publishing industry,” the statement read.