Madagascar’s Book Industry: 31 Million People, Only 16 Bookshops
Madagascar, with a population of more than 31 million, has a proud literary tradition but a fragile publishing sector. UNESCO’s latest report on Africa’s book industry lays out the figures, and they are striking: just 16 bookshops and 36 public libraries serve the entire country. Access to books remains scarce, yet a growing number of publishers, cultural organisations and grassroots projects are working to change the landscape.
Africa’s book market: challenges and opportunities
Africa’s book industry has enormous potential. According to UNESCO, the continent generated around $7 billion in 2023, representing 5.4% of the global publishing market. But with the right policies and investment, that figure could soar to $18.5 billion annually in the coming years. School publishing alone could account for as much as $13 billion.
For the first time, UNESCO has mapped the book sector across 54 African states, highlighting both its strengths and its weaknesses. The report calls for a united effort — from policymakers, publishers, booksellers, libraries, and authors — to unlock the future of African publishing.
The UNESCO study shows that Africa’s publishing sector remains underdeveloped despite its richness. No surprise there, unfortunately. Weak legal frameworks, limited access to bookshops and libraries, and a dependence on imported books all hold the industry back.
But the opportunities are just as clear. Strengthening national laws, supporting local publishers, and investing in libraries and digital platforms could transform the landscape. With the right policies in place, Africa could boost cultural expression, create jobs, and bring local languages and stories to a wider audience.
Africa’s untapped publishing powerhouse
The continent is rich in literary talent and has seen a growing number of authors gain international success. In 2021, all of the world’s most prestigious literary prizes went to African writers: the Nobel Prize for Literature to Abdulrazak Gurnah (Tanzania), the Prix Goncourt to Mohamed Mbougar Sarr (Senegal), and the Booker Prize to Damon Galgut (South Africa).
Yet access remains a challenge. Africa has, on average, just one bookshop for every 116,000 people and one public library for every 189,000. To fill this gap, digital platforms have stepped in. Services such as Snapplify and Akoobooks provide e-books, audiobooks and online sales, helping readers overcome geographical and infrastructure barriers.
With evidence-based policies, investment in schools and libraries, and stronger support for local publishers, Africa’s book industry could become a driver of sustainable development and cultural preservation according to this report. At its core, the report stresses the importance of Africans shaping their own stories and safeguarding the continent’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
The numbers in Madagascar
Nowhere is this tension clearer than in Madagascar. Home to more than 31 million people, the country has just 16 bookshops and 36 public libraries, serving an audience with a literacy rate of 77%. This means there is one public library per 866 700 people! Around 121 titles were published in 2023, spread across 18 small publishing houses, employing roughly 700 people.
Despite these limitations, Madagascar has a vibrant literary tradition. Writers such as Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo and Jacques Rabemananjara laid the foundations of modern Malagasy literature, blending oral traditions with new forms. Today, publishers like Jeunes Malgaches and Vakoka Vakiteny continue to promote local culture through bilingual books and children’s literature.
And well… there’s me too. Even if only a handful of people know my work, I like to think I’m part of this new generation of Malagasy voices adding to the story. My debut novel, The Eucalyptus Tree, is set in Madagascar and tells a part of its history.
The UNESCO report also highlights both the fragility and resilience of Madagascar’s sector: strong oral traditions, creative grassroots initiatives like bibliobus (mobile libraries), but also reliance on imported books, weak distribution outside cities, and the absence of a national ISBN system.
Why this report matters
UNESCO’s study is more than data. It is a call to action. By investing in publishing, African countries can not only grow their economies but also strengthen their identities and give readers access to stories in their own voices.
The stakes are high. In an age of globalisation, ensuring that African languages and perspectives are preserved in print is essential for cultural sovereignty. And as Madagascar shows, even in countries with limited infrastructure, creativity and community efforts can lay the foundation for growth.
