How audio publishing is reshaping African literature in Kigali
In Kigali, a shift is underway in how African stories are produced and shared, as publishers and writers increasingly turn to audio formats to reach new audiences.
That shift came into focus recently when Arise Book Academy hosted a training on audio publishing, bringing together authors, publishers and cultural entrepreneurs to explore the growing role of sound in African literature.
The training was led by Ghanaian entrepreneur Ama Dadson, founder of AkooBooks Audio, Africa’s first audiobook streaming platform. Held at Ayina Think Tank, the session highlighted how digital tools are opening new possibilities for African storytelling beyond traditional print.
Arise Book Academy, led by publishing professional Gasana Mutesi, was established to equip African creatives with practical skills needed to navigate a rapidly changing publishing industry. The academy emerged from a professional exchange between Mutesi and international publishing consultant Emma House, whose experience in global book markets helped shape the academy’s focus on mentorship, innovation and market access.
Since its creation, the academy has positioned itself as a capacity-building platform rather than a conventional training institution, working to ensure African writers and publishers can compete and collaborate on international stages.
The Kigali training took place at Ayina Think Tank, an intellectual hub led by Damien Mouzoun, known for hosting conversations on literacy, education and innovation. Organizers said the venue reflected the spirit of the workshop, which aimed to bridge Africa’s oral traditions with modern digital publishing tools.
During the session, Dadson guided participants through the basics of audiobook production, including voice recording, sound quality, editing and distribution. She also addressed copyright, licensing and digital rights, explaining how African-produced audiobooks can be distributed on global platforms such as Audible and Spotify.
Dadson shared that her entry into audio publishing was driven by a personal need to make African novels accessible to her visually impaired mother. That experience led to the creation of AkooBooks Audio, which now distributes African stories to listeners across the continent and in the diaspora.
She stressed that audiobooks are not only a commercial opportunity but also an accessibility tool, particularly in regions where literacy levels vary.
In Africa, she noted, audio publishing builds on long-standing oral storytelling traditions while adapting them to modern consumption habits.
Participants included writers experimenting with recording their work, publishers considering audio as an additional format, and cultural entrepreneurs exploring audio-based business ideas. Discussions also focused on producing audiobooks in local languages and using audio to reach underserved audiences.
Organizers said the training combined technical instruction with open exchange, allowing participants to test ideas and rethink how stories can be told in a digital age. Several attendees said the session offered practical strategies for expanding their reach beyond print.
The focus on audio publishing comes as Arise Education, the umbrella organization behind the academy, seeks partnerships with international digital publishing platforms, including De Marque and YouScribe. These collaborations aim to strengthen distribution networks and create sustainable income opportunities for African authors and publishers.
Future trainings planned by the academy will address artificial intelligence in publishing and rights selling, areas increasingly seen as critical for accessing global markets. Topics are expected to include contract negotiation, translation rights and content discoverability.
Observers say initiatives like the Kigali training reflect Rwanda’s growing role as a regional hub for cultural and creative industries. By convening local and international expertise, such programs are contributing to broader conversations about how African literature can adapt to technological change while remaining culturally grounded.
As digital formats continue to gain ground, publishers say the challenge will be ensuring African creators are not only consumers of new technologies, but active participants shaping how their stories are produced and shared.
