Books For Africa
A simple name for an organization with a simple mission. We collect, sort, ship, and distribute books to students of all ages in Africa. Our goal: to end the book famine in Africa.
Books For Africa stands with our global community raising their voices in peaceful protest by the millions, taking to the streets in response to the recent killing of George Floyd in Minnesota and the ongoing problem of unequal justice. The persistent racial inequalities in our society and the social disruption over the past several days is of concern to all of us. We implore local, state, and national governments to do everything they can to address the persistent racial injustices that have led to the great anger and frustration of so many people.
Books For Africa is an organization guided by community need and contribution. We share in the global grief and pledge to continue to do our part by helping to educate the future African leaders who will help bring justice and equality in a communal way forward as we seek to address global disparities.
Books For Africa remains the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, shipping over 48 million books to all 55 countries on the African continent since 1988. Last year alone, Books For Africa shipped 3.7 million books, valued at over $38 million, and 167 computers and e-readers containing nearly 300,000 digital books, to 20 African countries. More than $3.2 million was raised last year to ship these books to the students of Africa.
To learn more about groups currently fundraising to ship books to specific African countries, view the Projects page.
To learn more about the Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative, Agricultural Libraries, or French Books view the Special Initiatives page
Contact Books for AfricaBooks 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
EIN 41-1627391
The Latest
African Development University Enhances Library with Shipment from BFA
We recently got good news from African Development University, who used a container of books to make their library collections one of the top well-stocked libraries in Niger!
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Mayor Attends Book Distribution in Kitwe, Zambia
Distribution is underway for a recent container shipment of 22,000 books in Kitwe, Zambia! Check out the video of restocking at the Buche Public Library, where the Mayor was in attendance.
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Girls Empowerment Collection Reaches Pamoja Youth Initiative in Zanzibar
A Girls Empowerment Collection, sponsored by Luanne Nyberg and Julie Andberg, has arrived in Zanzibar for the Pamoja Youth Initiative!
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Books For Africa Founder Tom Warth to Walk 60 Miles to Celebrate 50 Millionth Book Sent to Africa
Books For Africa (BFA) Founder Tom Warth, 84, began a 60-mile walk June 6 from the Taylors Falls Library to the BFA warehouse in St. Paul to raise money for the group, which hopes to ship its 50 millionth book to Africa this year.
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Books For Africa 2020 Summer Newsletter
2020 has been another record-setting year at Books For Africa, and we wrote all about it in our Summer Newsletter! Take a look at the virtual version to learn more about our accomplishments and our work in the changing era of Covid-19.
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