Africa’s publishing industry is currently undergoing a major shift as local authors and publishers continue to break new ground and reshape the literary space across the continent. In Nigeria, a number of new publishing houses and bold storytellers are at the forefront of this change, offering readers fresh voices and relatable narratives that reflect African realities.
One notable example is Masobe Books, a Nigerian publishing house founded in 2018 by Othuke Ominiabohs. Before becoming a publisher, Ominiabohs worked as an English teacher. He turned to writing and publishing full-time after surviving kidney failure, an experience that pushed him to self-publish his debut novel Odufa. The book sold 2,000 copies within a year, a notable achievement for a self-published work in Nigeria’s tough book market. Since then, his company, Masobe Books—which means “let us read” in Isoko—has grown into one of Nigeria’s most talked-about publishing outfits. As of 2024, the company had published 41 titles and sold nearly 60,000 copies.
Masobe Books has gained attention for focusing on original works that tell everyday African stories, moving away from the past focus on African migration tales. Popular books published by Masobe include The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus and The Mechanics of Yenagoa. The company’s distribution now extends beyond Nigeria to Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, with some titles getting international attention. Ominiabohs said that part of his success comes from maintaining good relationships with bookshops and investing in quality stories that generate word-of-mouth buzz among readers.
Another major player in Nigeria’s publishing space is Cassava Republic Press. The company was co-founded in 2006 by Bibi Bakare-Yusuf and Jeremy Weate. From the beginning, Cassava Republic set out to make African literature more accessible and affordable while also giving African writers a platform to shine both locally and internationally. According to its founders, the goal is to “change the way we all think about African writing” and to connect writers across different places and generations. Nigerian newspaper ThisDay has praised the publishing house for its innovative approach, especially in using digital tools to cut book costs and boost sales.
In addition to these publishers, digital platforms are helping to push African literature to a wider audience. The 2024 edition of the Business of Books Conference, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, focused on the future of local publishing and how technology can help. The event brought together upcoming writers, seasoned authors, and industry players to discuss how to build stronger networks and partnerships. Organisers of the conference also showcased how digital publishing, crowdfunding, and mobile apps are being used by African writers to get their work out to readers.
Despite the growth in local publishing, challenges still persist across the continent. In countries like Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, books remain expensive and hard to find. Many Africans have limited access to quality books because local publishing is underdeveloped, public libraries are underfunded, and imported books cost too much. However, efforts to build organic, homegrown publishing markets—as seen in Nigeria—are beginning to help reduce these problems. More publishing houses are emerging, and readers are gradually gaining access to affordable and relatable African stories.
Events like the Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) are also helping to drive the reading culture forward. Established in 2001, the NIBF is the largest book fair in Nigeria and the second largest on the continent. It takes place every May and draws together authors, publishers, illustrators, booksellers, and readers from across Africa. Books are sold at discounted prices during the fair, making it easier for the public to buy and enjoy literature. The fair has become an important space for promoting literacy, networking, and showcasing African creativity in the publishing world.
With more young authors writing bold and diverse stories, and with publishers exploring both traditional and digital methods, Africa’s book industry is entering a new era. As more people on the continent embrace reading and storytelling, the African literary scene is expected to keep growing and evolving.
