African publishing is entering a new digital chapter, and Kigali is positioning itself at the center of that transformation. during a recent audio publishing training organized by Arise Book Academy, bringing together writers, publishers, and cultural entrepreneurs to explore how African stories can reach wider audiences through sound.
The training, hosted at Ayina Think Tank in Kigali, was led by Ama Dadson, a Ghanaian publishing innovator and founder of AkooBooks Audio, Africa’s first audiobook streaming platform. The event marked at step in equipping African creatives with practical skills to compete in the fast-growing global audio market.
Arise Book Academy was founded following a meeting between Gasana Mutesi, founder of Arise Education, and Emma House, an internationally respected publishing professional. Their shared vision was to create a platform that strengthens African publishing through mentorship, innovation, and global connection.
Since its establishment, the academy has focused on empowering African writers and publishers with knowledge that responds to current industry trends. Audio publishing is one of those key trends, offering new opportunities for storytelling, access, and income generation.
The training took place at Ayina Think Tank, an intellectual and creative space led by Damien Mouzoun, a strong advocate for literacy and critical thinking in Rwanda. Ayina has become known for hosting conversations and initiatives that connect education, culture, and innovation.
By hosting the audio publishing workshop, Ayina reinforced its role as a platform for knowledge exchange and creative development. The collaboration with Arise Book Academy highlighted how institutions can work together to strengthen the cultural and literary ecosystem.
Ama Dadson’s journey into audio publishing began with a personal challenge. Seeking a way for her blind mother to continue enjoying African literature, she discovered the lack of accessible audiobooks by African authors. This gap led her to establish AkooBooks Audio, a platform dedicated to producing and distributing African stories in audio format.
Today, AkooBooks Audio distributes African literature to listeners across the continent and beyond, proving that locally driven innovation can respond to global demand.
During the Kigali training, Dadson guided participants through the full audiobook production process. Sessions covered voice recording techniques, microphone use, sound editing, and quality control. She also explained digital rights management, licensing, and international distribution options, including platforms such as Audible and Spotify.
Beyond technical skills, the training emphasized accessibility. Audiobooks, Dadson noted, create opportunities for visually impaired readers and non-literate audiences, while also reflecting Africa’s long-standing oral storytelling traditions.
Audio Publishing and Africa’s Future
Globally, audiobooks are among the fastest-growing segments of the publishing industry. For Africa, the format offers additional value by improving access to literature in communities where literacy remains a challenge.
Speaking during the session, Gasana Mutesi emphasized the broader goal of the academy. She said the initiative aims to ensure African voices are heard internationally, while remaining rooted in local cultures and languages.
Arise Education is currently exploring partnerships with international digital publishing platforms such as De Marque and YouScribe. These collaborations are expected to expand the reach of African ebooks and audiobooks and create sustainable income opportunities for authors and publishers.
Building on the success of the audio training, Arise Book Academy has announced future programs focusing on artificial intelligence in publishing and rights selling. These sessions will equip participants with skills to negotiate international contracts, sell translation rights, and use emerging technologies in publishing workflows.
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