"In this contribution, the role of progressive African intellectuals fifty years after independence in the context of African postcolonial, political and socio-economic conditions is examined. African intellectuals have been marginalized by the African state, and progressive intellectuals have been ... disunited in their struggle for relevance. The possibilities for African intellectual autonomy and international solidarity are shown through a recollection of the flourishing intellectual environment and local publishing output of post-independence Tanzania. The end of that era and the demise of publishing, including in African languages, has negatively impacted African economic and intellectual emancipation and can only be addressed by international solidarity among progressive intellectuals." (Abstract) more

"In this overview of indigenous publishing in Africa today and the industry’s requirements for the future, Walter Bgoya writes: ‘Three scenarios for the future of publishing in Africa are easi ... ly discernible: one, African publishing playing an insignificant role, the source of books and reading material remaining external, and indigenous publishers playing a mediating role between the “European” publisher/producer and the African book market; second, African publishing becoming modestly successful through a long period of trial and error; and third, African publishing playing its full role following a realisation of its strategic importance in the overall development of a country and its being accorded special support.’ Publishing deserves the status of a strategic industry, Bgoya argues, primarily because of the significance of books in education, and for this vision to be realised ‘the first step [...] is to work with all component constituencies of the book chain and with government to evolve and establish a national book policy’. Only if there are clear policies in the areas of education, books and language, backed up by practical implementation, will the conditions be created in which indigenous publishing can grow and flourish. Meanwhile, among the practical self-help options that publishers should consider are joint ventures with overseas publishers; a framework for establishing equitable and mutually beneficial joint ventures is appended to the article." (Introduction) more

"Drawing on research data from 18 African countries, this important study examines the relationship between government policy and decision makers and the educational book industries, concentrating on three main areas concerning textbook publishing in Africa: (1) the business environment, (2) the pub ... lishing industry, and (3) the critical success and failure factors related to book provision. Primary data was gathered through a series of questionnaires delivered to various organizations concerned with textbook provision, as well as follow-up through direct interviews with government officials and those representing the book professions in each country. Secondary data for the study was collected through published and unpublished sources. Individual chapters provide essential background information about textbook publishing and thereafter analyze current market structures and publishing systems, demand and supply, the size and ownership of the publishing industry, market research, and patterns in purchasing and funding of textbooks. A final chapter “Looking Ahead: Issues and Priorities” provides an overall picture of the major issues as they relate to textbook publishing, sets out a number of recommendations what the authors perceive to be priority targets for textbook provision, and suggests an outline for implementation strategies according to a division of responsibilities between governments and Ministries of Education on the one hand, and publishers on the other. A conclusion states that “the basic problem of publishing in Africa is financial: lack of assets, low level of equity capital and difficulties in meeting loan conditions. Lending institutions in Africa do not consider publishing bankable. And even if they did, present interest rates, which are as high as 44 per cent in some countries, would prohibit any publisher from making use of the facility.” An Appendix provides background facts on all the countries covered by the study, including educational indicators such as literacy rates, government expenditure on education, enrolment ratios, pupil/teacher ratio, and school age population projections." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1868) more

"Reviews the role, relevance and affordability of technical publications in an African situation. The authors puts forward strategies for developing and financing the indigenous publishing industry, and makes a number of suggestions for creating a market for technical publications in Africa." (Hans ... M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 2336) more

"Looks at the publishing industry in Tanzania and explains the sluggish development despite state commitment to universal adult and primary education. The author links the underdevelopment of the printing and publishing industries with East Africa's colonial history when the main market place for Ea ... st Africa was in Kenya. He examines the roles of multilateral agencies and international donor organizations in supporting Tanzania's education and the impact which this had on publishing. Demonstrates why friendly donor organizations have tended to create and nurture a dependency on aid and how this has hindered the development of indigenous publishing. Also discusses the issue of language, and the activities of multinational publishing companies." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1127) more

"One of a series of national monographs on the state of books and reading in a number of countries, published in order to provide book professionals and the interested public, with detailed surveys of matters relating to authorship, publishing, material production and distribution of books and readi ... ng. This monograph was prepared by the [then] General Manager of Tanzania Publishing House, Dar es Salaam, and focuses on the difficulty experienced in obtaining accurate data for the publishing industry. Also discusses the need for professional training in publishing, and examines the legal and institutional framework, with special emphasis on the need for a Book Development Council that could assist in developing a flourishing book industry." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 1126) more