Publishers & Books

Publishers & Books

“Publishers & Books” is certainly the best known project of the African Observatory of Publishing Professionals. It is the very first project carried out by the organisation when it was launched in 2018. Founded by Ulrich Talla Wamba, it responds to an essential need: to cover the news around the book in African countries. He feels frustrated when he realises that very few events concerning the book are reported. There is a kind of vacuum on this subject. The events that do get global coverage are usually financed by Northern structures. The others remain in total oblivion.

Also, he notes that the media that talk about news in the book industry on the continent devote just a small section to the entire African continent (of 54 countries). This is a pity because the actors (authors, publishers, booksellers, printers, etc.) working in the book industry do not have enough light. They are not given enough of a voice.

Challenges of the publication

Within the first few weeks of the birth of OAPE, he launched a professional and specialised magazine called “Publishers & Books”. The aim of the magazine is to give a regular voice to the actors of the book industry on the African continent and in the Caribbean. The magazine wants to put the book and its industry back in the spotlight. The magazine wants to cover the main events related to the book in all countries of the South.

In order to cover a larger number of readers, the magazine is designed in English but also in French. It covers news in both languages so as not to damage the authentic expressions of the speakers… The magazine relies on its international network of correspondents who cover news on the book industry every week.

“Publishers & Books” is also a platform for reflection on the book trade, practices and tools. It is a catalogue of the latest releases from publishers on the African continent and many others. It is entirely financed by its own funds.

The great crisis

The magazine went through a very difficult period in 2020 during the Covid-19 period. The funds for the production of the magazine dried up. In addition, OAPE lost many databases due to malicious attacks. Some of the previous issues have been saved and can be consulted free of charge HERE.

Together we can!

Since 2023, the year of the resumption of activities, the magazine is available again. It is back with “Publishers & Books KIDS” which deals with the children’s book industry in Africa. The magazines are paid for. The money raised helps us to finance the next editions. We would like to thank you again for your interest in this magazine and our activities. You can join the adventure or help us to finance certain issues.

Let’s strengthen the book industry in Africa and the Caribbean. Together we can do it!