Join us at this year's London Book Fair, taking place 12-14 March at London Olympia. Stop by the International Welcome Point hosted by British Council, stand 2C120, or come along to our event to meet the team and hear more about a forthcoming research report into publishing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Event: New Trends in Publishing in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | 12.00-12.45Olympia, International Markets Theatre (3E12)
In advance of the publication of the British Council’s landmark research into the publishing sectors in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, researchers Anietie Isong (Nigeria), Maggie Chideme (Zimbabwe) and Rachael South (UK) will share some of the findings. They will explore opportunities for further collaboration between global publishers and their counterparts in Sub-Saharan Africa including independent publishing (business models, size of presses), innovations (digital adoption, new market strategies) and grassroots initiatives (reading centres, community libraries). There will also be ample opportunity for the audience to ask the researchers questions.
About the research
This in-depth research into the trade publishing and literature sectors in six key countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe) will provide market insights and focus on innovative practice and the conditions for resilience in the sector.
The research will provide a comprehensive, accurate overview of the trade publishing and literature sectors in each country with a particular focus on the sector infrastructure and the creative individuals working within the sector. The research will identify innovative practice, opportunities for collaboration, specifically with other Sub-Saharan African countries and with the UK, and challenges faced by publishers working in each country. The research will also identify opportunities for international professional development of literature professionals working within the sector to strengthen the resilience of their organisations.
With this research we seek to understand the opportunities that exist to increase cultural connections between countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK, and create an environment where our publishing sectors can thrive.You can read the preliminary scoping report here.
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