Nairobi-based bookstore Soma Nami is moving to a new space! Affectionately dubbed Soma Nami 2.0, the new bookstore looks spacious and filled with natural light. We cannot wait to see the end result!

Soma Nami Books was founded by Muthoni Muiruri and Wendy Njoroge in 2021 as a woman-owned and Pan-African literary hub dedicated to the power of literature and the striving for knowledge. It is a book haven for all readers near and far, and won Brittle Paper‘s 2021 Literary Platform of the Year.

Muiruri and Njoroge posted a tour of the new space on Instagram, remarking that they just signed the lease on Soma Nami 2.0 in April and have been thinking about taking their Soma Nami story far and wide.

In a conversation with us, the two founders remarked that one of the most thrilling aspects of this project is their decision to establish roots in a different part of the city of Nairobi, in a neighborhood undergoing regeneration”

By aligning ourselves with the transformation efforts of the community and transformation efforts, we aim to contribute to the emergence of a vibrant hub for Africa’s entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators. We are excited to collaborate with the developers and become an integral part of this transformative journey.

See the tour below:

Soma Nami shared on their Instagram that they want their viewers to drop design ideas in the comments as they want everyone to come on this journey with them and build the store together. This iteration promises to be bigger and more expansive, with an expanded selection of literature, a larger venue to accommodate more events, and an exciting new Wall of Fame featuring individuals who embody Soma Nami’s Pan-African ethos.

Muiruri and Njoroge shared with us that the project holds special significance for them as it represents a significant step forward in their mission to amplify African narratives:

The incredible support we have received for Soma Nami Books over the past three years has underscored a growing desire for spaces that honor our identity, uniqueness and stories, pushing us to dream bigger. Soma Nami 2.0 is therefore a natural evolution, a response to the call for more community-centric spaces that truly feel like home.

Go show Soma Nami some love on their Instagram as they embark on this exciting phase in their lives!