The challenges faced by publishers based on the continent are enormous. In countries where running any business comes with unique hurdles, publishing is even more daunting. Not to mention that in the global space, they have to compete with the “big-five” US publishers who control much of the publishing in the English speaking world, including African books. So, while we don’t want to minimize the fact that many of these businesses struggle, we do want to celebrate the wins and acknowledge the efforts being made to grow an Africa-centered publishing market and industry.

Nigeria’s Masobe Books had an exceptional year, publishing 41 titles in 2024, six of which made our final list. Across the continent, publishers like Huza Press, Cassava Republic, and Jacana Media continue to champion stories and ideas that reflect Africa’s complexity and creativity. Just recently, Modjaji Press published their annual Small Publishers’ Catalogue, featuring over 60 African indie presses.

The following is a list of books from our 100 Notable Books of the Year that were published by Africa-based and Africa-owned presses. Think of it as a starting point. From here, you can explore more of these publishers’ catalogs or follow this link to learn more about the Small Publishers’ Catalogue for a deeper dive into the vibrant world of African publishing.