Books For Africa remains the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, shipping over 65 million books to all 55 countries on the African continent since 1988. Last year alone, Books For Africa shipped over 2.8 million books, valued at over $28.5 million, to 36 countries—a 78% increase over the previous year. Over half a million digital books were also shipped on 163 computers and e-readers. Approximately $2.5 million was raised to ship these books to partners across Africa. Over 9,000 volunteers joined BFA staff in helping to pack these books for shipment to Africa.
To learn more about groups currently fundraising to ship books to specific African countries, view the Projects page.
To learn more about the Girls Empowerment Collections, BFA Publishing, Law & Democracy Initiative, Agricultural Libraries, or French Books view the Special Initiatives page
Books For Africa is a simple idea, but its impact is transformative. For us, literacy is quite simply the bridge from misery to hope.
— Kofi Annan, former U.N. Secretary-General
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The Latest
Books For Africa Engages With Partners in Washington, DC
Books For Africa spent the first week of June in Washington, DC, meeting with African ambassadors, U.S. congressional leaders, the African Union, donors, and development partners. Highlights included participation in African Union events, advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill, and the annual Summit Society Reception hosted by the Kenyan Embassy. The reception welcomed donors and diplomatic…
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Books For Africa Annual Spring Fundraiser 2026
Books For Africa hosted in Minnesota last week H.E. Constance’s Gaspar, Ambassador from African Union to the U.S., and H.E. Agostinho Van-Dunem, Ambassador from Angola to the U.S. Both spoke at our annual fundraiser. We were pleased to have them update our Books For Africa community about issues and trends in Angola, and across the African continent. We look forward to continued collaboration…
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Executive Director Patrick Plonski Meets With Books For Africa Partners in Tunisia and Djibouti
Books For Africa Executive Director travels to Djibouti and Tunisia. Pat received tours from high level officials, had a visit at a local primary school was extremely well-organized and well-received as this school and partners thanked us for the books received. The US Ambassador to Djibouti was on site as was Djibouti’s Minister of National Education. The event was extremely high-level and…
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African Union ambassador to headline Books For Africa annual fundraiser in Minnesota
Her Excellency Constância Adelina Gaspar, the African Union’s representative to the United States, will be the featured speaker at the annual fundraising breakfast and luncheon hosted by Books For Africa next week in Roseville.
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Soma Safari, a Book Ecosystem Project of the iSchool, Ships 50,000 Books to Kenya
The article highlights a global literacy initiative led by the San José State University School of Information called Soma Safari, focused on improving access to books and education in underserved communities—especially in Keny
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