Books For Africa remains the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent, shipping over 64 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
EIN 41-1627391
The Latest
BFA Recipients Call Books High-Quality, Report Positive Impact for Tenth Consecutive Year
Books For Africa has completed its tenth consecutive year of enhanced post-shipment feedback surveys! The FY25 survey found that recipients unanimously rate BFA books as useful and of high quality. On average, recipients deemed 98% of the books they received relevant, and over three-quarters of recipients' report seeing increased library use since receiving BFA books!
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Read Today, Lead Tomorrow: BFA's Fall Newsletter is Here!
Books For Africa's 2025 Fall Newsletter is officially here! Take a look inside...
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BFA Board Members Visit Nyakabaare Primary School
Books For Africa board members Erin Bagniewski and Tammie Follett recently visited Nyakabaare Primary School in Rwampara District, Southwestern Uganda.
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Books For Africa Founder Tom Warth Leads Climb of Barn Bluff in Red Wing, Minnesota
On September 20, 2025 Tom Warth led a fundraising climb of Barn Bluff in Red Wing, Minnesota. It was a great day and the event was a big success. Approximately 30 people participated in the event, and approximately $14,000 was raised to ship books to Uganda.
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Ghana Library Authority: Reading Fights Poverty in Ghana
Books For Africa partnered with BetterWorld Trust and the Ghana Book Trust to deliver 18,000 books to schools, libraries, and orphanages in Ghana. Together, they have provided more than 590,000 books over the past eight years to expand access to education.
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