Kenya: “We believe that it is now time for Africa” – Conversation with Lily Nyariki, Librarian

“We believe that it is now time for Africa”

Publishers & Books: If we were to introduce you to our readers, what should we highlight?
Lily Nyariki: I am a Librarian and Book Development Specialist, passionate about advocating for the power of information and knowledge in people’s lives—primarily through reading books and other informational materials. I serve as the Focal Point (Anglophone Countries) for the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Inter-Country Quality Node for Teaching and Learning (ICQN-TL), focusing on Books and Learning Materials. I’m responsible for promoting awareness of books and reading. I have worked in book development and reading promotion for decades, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I’ve authored two books and several papers centred on books and reading in Africa. I also served for 22 years as the Bookshop Manager at Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya. I enjoy networking with like-minded individuals.

In June, Nairobi hosted two major meetings concerning publishing, books, and book education in Africa. You participated actively. What are your observations and overall assessment?
ADEA, together with partners such as the Global Book Alliance, the African Union Commission, and Kenya’s Ministry of Education, held a three-day High-Level Workshop on National Book and Reading Policies in Africa. Discussions focused on the pressing need for African nations to adopt a Continental Framework on National Book and Reading Policies, developed by the African Union Commission. The aim is to support the development of national book industries as critical drivers of culture, information dissemination, and education. The framework provides legal and developmental guidance on the production and distribution of books, the promotion of reading, and the advancement of the book trade. The workshop was highly successful, and participants validated the framework, offering all African countries a foundation for formulating their National Book and Reading Policies. This is a significant milestone for the continent. ADEA and its partners are committed to continuing their work with all African nations to ensure the framework is both adopted and implemented. The regional workshop was a wake-up call on the urgent need for national book and reading policies, backed by full government support. The second event was a conference organised by the International Publishers Association (IPA) in partnership with the African Publishers Network (APNET), under the theme “Africa Rising: Realising Africa’s Potential as a Global Publishing Leader in the 21st Century”. ADEA and IPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in improving publishing outcomes across Africa through joint initiatives. This truly is Africa’s time. All stakeholders in the publishing sector are working to position publishing as a strategic industry—central to all development efforts. This aligns with the UN’s Vision 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 4, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016–25), which envisions a prosperous continent driven by its own people.

Supported by ADEA and other partners, a framework agreement validated by participants was presented to the African Union. Can we say Africa has taken a significant step forward? Why?
Absolutely. The Continental Framework on National Book and Reading Policies is a major milestone for ADEA, which has long advocated for such policies as a means to turn Africa into a net producer—not merely a consumer—of reading materials. Imported publications often fail to reflect our cultural realities. It’s vital that African countries develop their own policies, using the framework as a guide, which outlines a clear and structured process.

This agreement, as you pointed out, encourages governments to develop strong national structures for book development. As we hope for adoption by Heads of State, what are the next practical steps towards effective implementation across the continent?
This was a joint initiative by four key institutions: ADEA, the Global Book Alliance, the African Union Commission, and Kenya’s Ministry of Education. Together, they have sent a strong message to all member states. The next step involves distributing the framework to all countries. Where required, ADEA Focal Points and book development experts will be available to assist governments in policy formulation and implementation.

Africa has a predominantly young population. How can we meet the challenge of educating future generations with quality books? What role should publishers play?
Africa’s youth will become an increasingly powerful demographic. They must be guided to understand the role of information in shaping their futures and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a fast-changing world. Publishers have a vital role in producing relevant, engaging content tailored to the needs of young readers—content that supports both formal education and lifelong learning. This also implies creating materials in formats that appeal to young people, including digital and multimedia options, ensuring they remain engaged with knowledge over time.

What is the role of African languages in children’s development?
African languages are still widely spoken, especially in rural areas. To preserve them, we must invest in publishing materials in these languages and give children the opportunity to learn in the languages they speak and understand best. Research consistently shows that children learn more effectively when taught in their mother tongue or a language they are familiar with. African governments need clear language policies that prioritise local languages in the early years of education. There is a prevailing notion that local languages lack economic value, but this is largely due to underinvestment in relevant reading materials. Local languages have thrived through radio—similar results can be achieved through books, audiobooks, and eBooks designed for readers in those languages.

Any final thoughts for our readers?
Africa has historically lagged behind in the book publishing sector, but we believe the time has come for change. It’s never too late. Given the current push for development, cultural revival, and quality education, Africans must now recognise that book publishing is strategic. It is central to making Africa competitive and capable of achieving global development goals. Reading is a fundamental skill worldwide. If Africa wants to remain relevant, we must build strong book industries that support these aspirations. Africa cannot be built by others—it must be built by the knowledge and information generated by its own people.

By Ulrich Talla Wamba