Rwandan publishers and writers have called for joint efforts from the government, schools, parents, and other stakeholders to address persistent challenges facing the country's book industry, including a limited market, high publishing costs, poor book quality and a weak reading culture. The call was made on Thursday, November 5, during the National Library Services Open Day 2026, organized by the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) in partnership with BridgeVision. Held since 2024, the annual event aims to highlight the role of National Library Services and books in heritage preservation, research and knowledge sharing. This year's event also included a book workshop where experienced and writers conducted masterclasses on reading, writing and publishing. Discussions focused on how writers can improve their creativity, how to develop a reading culture and how institutions can support the publishing industry. ALSO READ: Writers weigh in on Rwanda’s reading culture High publishing costs discourage writers Augustin Gasake, an author, said the high cost of publishing remains a major challenge for authors. He noted that although the government has a policy of exempting the book sector from taxes, publishing materials remains high. He added that publishing houses also charge prices that many writers cannot easily afford. According to Gasake, these costs eventually make books expensive, limiting access for citizens who want to read them. Limited market affects book prices Françoise Tuyishime, Chief Operation Officer at BridgeVision, a publishing company, said Rwanda's publishing sector has been growing compared to previous years, but publishers continue to face challenges, particularly finding buyers for books written by Rwandan authors. She said many Rwandans do not buy books, while schools also face budgetary constraints that limit their ability to purchase them. “Books become less expensive when there is a larger market and more people buying them,” she said. Tuyishime explained that printing books in large quantities reduces the production cost per copy, allowing publishers and bookstores to sell them at more affordable prices. However, because Rwanda's book market remains limited, publishers cannot always print in large quantities, which contributes to high book prices. She called on Rwandans to develop a reading culture, starting within their families, and urged schools to purchase more locally published books. She also appealed to the government to support awareness campaigns across the country to promote reading. Few readers mean fewer writers Writers also highlighted the relationship between reading and writing, saying that developing a strong reading culture is essential to producing more writers. Patrick Nzabonimpa, an author, said reading is the foundation of writing, particularly among children who develop an interest in books at an early age. “You cannot write if you don't read. Writing starts with reading.,” he said. Gasake noted that the number of writers in Rwanda remains low, particularly those who write children's books. He attributed this partly to parents who do not dedicate enough time to reading with their children, often because of work commitments. He said the solution should start in schools, where children need to be introduced to reading while they are still young. Gasake urged parents to read books written by Rwandan authors to their children, teachers to use locally published books in schools and the government to purchase books from local publishers for distribution in schools. He also called for the government to make publishing materials more accessible to publishing houses and encourage book purchases in schools and public institutions to expand the market. Book quality remains a concern Tuyishime also said the quality of some Rwandan books remains below the expected standards, partly because many authors publish independently without seeking professional publishing services. She explained that publishing houses help authors edit manuscripts, design attractive covers and ensure that books meet international publishing standards. “I believe the quality of our books is still facing challenges because some authors do not approach publishing houses to help them improve their manuscripts and produce books that meet professional standards,” she said. She called for more publishing houses to be established in Rwanda and encouraged authors to work with those already operating in the country. Government acknowledges challenges Robert Masozera, Director General of the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, acknowledged that writers, authors and publishing institutions continue to face challenges, but said the sector has made significant progress over the years. He noted that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi severely affected the country's publishing sector, with the National Library Service and its depository destroyed. “We started from zero, but look at where we are today. Despite the remaining challenges, writers and authors are being supported through government institutions,” he said. Masozera added that the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement is currently developing a book policy that will provide a broader vision and strategic direction for the country's book sector, which previously lacked such a framework.
