By 2030, over a third of the world’s young people will be in Africa. We’re acting now to ensure that they have the books they need.

Together with our partners, we’ve already provided tens of thousands of brand-new, carefully selected books to millions of young people across 14 countries.

They’re in school libraries helping students prepare for exams, in teachers’ hands as they teach literacy and even reaching young people struggling to learn in refugee camps. And that’s just the start.  

By 2030, with your help we will provide 1.5 million books to 10 million young people, equip 300 new reading spaces and train 1,500 teachers and librarians to support reading.

Why we need to act now 

Africa is home to 733 million children and young people who could become future doctors, teachers, business leaders, writers and more – but they need good quality books and education.  

We are at the most critical juncture for Africa’s children. Get it right, and we set the foundation for a demographic dividend, which could lift hundreds of millions out of extreme poverty, and contribute to enhanced prosperity, stability, and peace.

Leila Pakkala, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa UNICEF Generation 2030 Africa 2.0 Report

For millions of children and young people in Africa there is a real risk they will not realise their potential and be able to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty, because they lack access to books and quality education. 

With your support, we’ll reach them with the books they need.