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Stories from libraries across Africa

Our work at Library Aid Africa has directly supported and strengthened librarians and libraries in over 22 African countries through innovative collaborative programs with library associations and institutions, library partners, development partners, the private sector, and government agencies.

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Select a highlighted country to see its impact stories. 64 stories cover work across Africa and are listed below.

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85 stories

  1. Sierra Leone

    Librarians-in-Tech Event in Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Librarians-in-Tech event in Freetown, Sierra Leone — hosted by Dunstanette Orehdola Bodkin Librarians-in-Tech Read story
  2. Nigeria

    Librarians-in-Tech Event in Nassarawa State, Nigeria

    Librarians-in-Tech event in Nassarawa State, Nigeria — hosted by Umma Ibrahim Librarians-in-Tech Read story
  3. Malawi

    Librarians-in-Tech Event in Malawi

    Librarians-in-Tech event in Malawi — hosted by Tayajana Librarians-in-Tech Read story
  4. Across Africa

    YALLF 2026 Cohort Announced

    YALLF 2026 cohort announced — 100 alumni, 19 African countries Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  5. Across Africa

    Library Internet Governance Ambassadors: First Cohort Completes Program

    LIGAP 2025: 19 librarians from 7 African countries complete first cohort, delivering digital inclusion projects Library Internet Governance Ambassadors Program Read story
  6. Across Africa

    Stakeholders Share Their Vision for Africa’s Next Library Leaders

    YALLF IFN Research — stakeholders across Africa share vision for next-generation library leaders Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  7. Sierra Leone

    Dunstanette Davies Appointed Deputy Chief Librarian, Sierra Leone Library Board

    Dunstanette Davies appointed Deputy Chief Librarian at Sierra Leone Library Board — YALLF alumni milestone Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  8. Across Africa

    Internet Governance Ambassadors Share Progress on Digital Inclusion

    LIGAP first cohort shares progress highlights on digital inclusion projects Library Internet Governance Ambassadors Program Read story
  9. Across Africa

    YALLF Alumni on How the Fellowship Changed Their Careers

    YALLF alumni share how fellowship transformed careers and enabled change in libraries and communities Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  10. Across Africa

    Alumni Spotlight: Namakau Mayungo Leads Beyond the Library

    Spotlight: Namakau Mayungo (YALLF 2021, Zambia) — creating impact in community leadership Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  11. Across Africa

    Meet the 2025 Library Internet Governance Ambassadors

    2025 LIGAP cohort — 8 African countries shaping future of library digital inclusion Library Internet Governance Ambassadors Program Read story
  12. Across Africa

    YALLF: 19 Countries, One Mission

    YALLF spans 19 African countries — building next generation of library leaders through innovation and collaboration Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  13. Across Africa

    LibraryXAfrica Ambassador Call Draws 154 Applications

    LibraryXAfrica Ambassador open call — 154 applications from 21 African countries LibraryXAfrica Read story
  14. Namibia

    Rachel Maswahu Appointed Editor at N.I.W.A.N.

    YALLF Alumni milestone: Rachel Maswahu (YALLF 2022, Namibia) appointed editor at N.I.W.A.N Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  15. Namibia

    Martin Hipangwa Appointed Deputy President of N.I.W.A.N.

    YALLF Alumni milestone: Martin Hipangwa (YALLF 2022, Namibia) appointed Deputy President of N.I.W.A.N Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  16. Across Africa

    Alumni Check-In: David Koech

    YALLF Alumni Check-In: Koech David (YALLF 2020, Kenya) — career trajectory shaped by fellowship Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  17. Across Africa

    Alumni Check-In: Emmanuel Momoh

    YALLF Alumni Check-In: Emmanuel Momoh (YALLF 2020) — career trajectory and how YALLF shaped his journey Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  18. Across Africa

    Supporting School Libraries in Hard-to-Reach Communities

    LAA collaborates with Start a Library Trust and Libraries Without Walls on School Library Intervention Program for African schools and hard-to-reach communities School Library Intervention Program Read story
  19. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Martin Namacheka

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Martin Namacheka (Malawi) — expanded practical skills, networking, and innovative library practice insights Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  20. Zambia

    Library Policy Fellowship Zambia: Fellows Share Their Expectations

    Library Policy Fellowship 2024 Zambia — fellows share expectations: library advocacy, policy frameworks, stakeholder collaboration The Library Policy Fellowship Read story
  21. Zambia

    Inaugural Library Policy Fellowship Cohort Launched in Zambia

    Inaugural Library Policy Fellowship 2024 Zambia Cohort launched — research, collaboration and advocacy to enhance library policy across Zambia The Library Policy Fellowship Read story
  22. Across Africa

    Paul Amanor Wins the 2024 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize

    YALLF 2022 alumni Paul Amanour wins 2024 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize for Library Without Walls project Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  23. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Rachel Maswahu

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Rachel Maswahu (Namibia) — expanded understanding of African library ecosystem and networking Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  24. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie: Five Years Across Ten African Countries

    Library Selfie — 5 years, 10 African countries; winners awarded mini-grants to set up community libraries LibrarySelfie Read story
  25. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Katherine Kambauruma

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Katherine Kambauruma (Namibia) — better understood her role and aligned work with SDGs Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  26. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Christian Ogbejie

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Christian Ogbejie (Nigeria) — contributed immensely to professional journey, expanded network Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  27. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Rebecca Adekanbi

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Rebecca Adekanbi (Nigeria) — expanded network, SDGs understanding, capstone project, tools to transform libraries Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  28. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Maribu Steven

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Maribu Steven (Uganda) — better understanding of digital tools and storytelling for library service delivery Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  29. Across Africa

    World Youth Skills Day: Reflecting on YALLF’s Progress

    World Youth Skills Day — YALLF progress equipping young library leaders with emerging skills across Africa Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  30. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Monica Githu

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Monica Githu (Kenya) — better understanding of sustainable library practices and community librarianship Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  31. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Godwins Oduor

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Godwins Osimbo (Rwanda) — enriching fellowship journey Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  32. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Kelechi Maryann

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Kelechi (Nigeria) — fellowship experience, learnings, and career impact Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  33. Across Africa

    YALLF 2023 Spotlight: Jumoke Sohe

    YALLF 2023 spotlight: Jumoke Sohe (Nigeria) — fellowship experience and career impact Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  34. Ghana, Kenya, Namibia

    LibrarySelfie 2021: Mini-Library Projects in Ghana, Namibia and Kenya

    Library Selfie 2021 — mini-library projects implemented by winners from Ghana, Namibia, and Kenya LibrarySelfie Read story
  35. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie Spotlight: Moshe Hilkka Imba

    Library Selfie spotlight: Moshe Hilkka Imba (Namibia) — grew up loving books, used mini-library project to impact children in community LibrarySelfie Read story
  36. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie Spotlight: Maria N. Kuume

    Library Selfie spotlight: Maria (Namibia) — personal story of falling in love with reading and impact of libraryselfie challenge LibrarySelfie Read story
  37. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Martin Hipangwa’s Capstone Project

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Martin Hipangwa (Namibia) — capstone project impact on community and career Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  38. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie Spotlight: Amu Mawutoh

    Library Selfie spotlight: Amu (Ghana) — journey from discovering libraryselfie2021 to winning and impact on reading life LibrarySelfie Read story
  39. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Paul Amanor’s Library Corner

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Paul Amanour (Ghana) — The Library Corner project; mini library in classroom fostering reading habits in children Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  40. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Aina Sakaria’s Digital Skills Project

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Aina Sakaria (Namibia) — capstone project impact on community and professional life Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  41. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie Spotlight: Paul Amanor’s Ayikuma Mobile Library

    Library Selfie spotlight: Paul Amanour (Ghana) — Ayikuma Mobile Library & Arts Explosion, powered by mini-grant, impacted community LibrarySelfie Read story
  42. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Rasack Ramadhani

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Rasack Ramadhani (Tanzania) — capstone project broadened librarianship perspective Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  43. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie Spotlight: SebleWengel Meshesha

    Library Selfie spotlight: SebleWengel Meshesha (Ethiopia) — mini-grant project created profound community impact LibrarySelfie Read story
  44. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Peter Chamgwera

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Peter Chamgwera (Malawi) — graduated equipped with skills and hands-on experience to tackle community challenges Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  45. Across Africa

    YALLF 2021 Spotlight: Namakau Mayungo

    YALLF spotlight: Namakau Mayungo (Zambia, YALLF 2021) — fellowship equipped her with skills, knowledge, and network to progress library career Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  46. Across Africa

    YALLF 2020 Spotlight: Abdulkadr Ali Abdulla

    YALLF spotlight: Abdulkadr Ali Abdulla (Tanzania, YALLF 2020) — acquired skills that built career confidence and deepened library profession understanding Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  47. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Albertina Shihawa

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Albertina (Namibia) — transformative journey and lasting career impact Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  48. Across Africa

    YALLF 2020 Spotlight: Halliru Salihu

    YALLF spotlight: Halliru Salihu (Nigeria, YALLF 2020) — learned skills and competence for the evolving digital age of libraries Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  49. Across Africa

    Children’s Day Throwback: Mobile Library and Arts in Ayikuma

    Children's Day throwback — LAA partnered with Libraries Without Walls and Goethe-Institut Ghana to bring Mobile Library and Arts to children in Ayikuma community LibrarySelfie Read story
  50. Across Africa

    Meet the YALLF 2023 Cohort: 44 Leaders from 17 Countries

    YALLF 2023 cohort — 44 young library leaders across 17 African countries including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda and more Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  51. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Ellen Chifuniro

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Ellen Chifuniro (Malawi) — graduated fully equipped with knowledge and expertise to advance library career Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  52. Across Africa

    Partnering with Libraries Without Walls for YALLF Fellows

    LAA partners with Libraries Without Walls — YALLF fellows gain hands-on experience co-creating and implementing innovative library interventions Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  53. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Why Aina Sakaria Joined the Fellowship

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Aina Sakaria (Namibia) — joining fellowship to implement library initiatives impacting communities and contributing to SDGs Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  54. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Peace Osemudiamen

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Peace Osemudiamen (Nigeria) — aims to inspire young librarians to take up leadership in librarianship Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  55. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Grace Ninahazimana

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Grace Ninahazimana (Burundi) — founder of iLearn Community Libraries, building library leadership capacity for rural community impact Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  56. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Francisca, Digital Literacy Champion

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Francisca (Kenya) — digital literacy champion using community library to promote information and media literacy Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  57. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie at Five: 69 Winners Across Eight Countries

    Library Selfie 2022 — 5th anniversary, 69 winners across 8 African countries driving community-level library impact LibrarySelfie Read story
  58. Kenya

    LibrarySelfie 2022: Book Box Library for MCEDO School, Kenya

    Library Selfie 2022 Kenya — Book Box Library launched at MCEDO school supporting literacy and numeracy for 527 learners and 23 teachers LibrarySelfie Read story
  59. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Paul Mensah Amanor

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Paul Mensah Amanour (Ghana) — aims to expand library access, nurture next generation of leaders, and drive social change Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  60. Across Africa

    YALLF 2022 Spotlight: Shalom Yusuf

    YALLF 2022 spotlight: Shalom (Nigeria) — envisions using IT to advocate that libraries and librarians are more than buildings and book keepers Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  61. Kenya

    LibrarySelfie 2022: Prize-Giving in Kenya

    Library Selfie 2022 Kenya — winner receives goody bag and €200 mini-grant from Goethe-Institut Kenya at prize-giving event LibrarySelfie Read story
  62. Nigeria

    Library Tracker at the 60th Nigerian Library Association Conference

    Library Tracker presented at 60th Nigerian Library Association Conference — librarians across Nigeria learn about making libraries accessible Library Tracker Read story
  63. Across Africa

    Meet the YALLF 2022 Cohort: 23 Leaders from 9 Countries

    YALLF 2022 cohort — 23 young library leaders across 9 African countries join next generation shaping future of African libraries Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  64. Across Africa

    YALLF 2021 Fellows Graduate

    YALLF 2021 fellows graduate — join network of emerging young library leaders to Lead Libraries Forward in Africa Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  65. Across Africa

    Pasepa Community Library Center Commissioned

    Pasepa Community Library Center commissioned by ActionAid Nigeria, LAA, and CITAD — providing books and learning resources for pupils in Pasepa Community Community Library Center Project Read story
  66. Ghana

    LibrarySelfie 2021: Ayikuma Mobile Library Returns for a Second Session

    Library Selfie 2021 Ghana — Ayikuma Mobile Library and Arts Exploration: second session engaging children in reading in the community LibrarySelfie Read story
  67. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie 2021: Ayikuma Mobile Library Launches

    Library Selfie 2021 Ghana — Ayikuma Mobile Library launched, project seeks to make reading an enjoyable hobby for 210 children in Ayikuma community LibrarySelfie Read story
  68. Across Africa

    Library Tracker Featured in a Goethe-Institut Nigeria Interview

    LibraryTracker — web app collating essential library information including location, hours, services, capacity, and resources; featured in Goethe-Institut Nigeria interview Library Tracker Read story
  69. Namibia

    LibrarySelfie 2021: Prize-Giving in Namibia

    Library Selfie 2021 — Namibia winners receive prizes from Goethe-Institut Namibia LibrarySelfie Read story
  70. Across Africa

    Meet the YALLF 2021 Cohort: 15 Leaders from 9 Countries

    YALLF 2021 cohort — 15 young library leaders across 9 African countries join next generation shaping the future of African libraries Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  71. Ethiopia

    LibrarySelfie 2021: SebleWengel’s School Library Project in Addis Ababa

    Library Selfie 2021 Ethiopia — SebleWengel receives prize at Goethe-Institut, presents mini-project to support school pupils with books in Addis Ababa LibrarySelfie Read story
  72. Ghana

    LibrarySelfie 2021: Prize-Giving in Ghana

    Library Selfie 2021 Ghana — winners celebrated at Goethe-Institut Ghana prize-giving event LibrarySelfie Read story
  73. Across Africa

    YALLF 2020 Fellows Announced

    YALLF 2020 fellows announced — new breed of young library leaders ready to transform library services delivery in Africa Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  74. Across Africa

    YALLF 2020 Virtual Graduation

    YALLF 2020 virtual graduation — after 4 weeks of training, next generation of library professionals equipped to change the face of librarianship in Africa Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  75. Tanzania

    LibrarySelfie 2020: Prize-Giving in Tanzania

    Library Selfie 2020 Tanzania — winners receive prizes at University of Dar Es Salaam Library; project spans 9 African countries LibrarySelfie Read story
  76. Across Africa

    YALLF 2020 Onboarding Session

    YALLF 2020 onboarding session — new generation of young library leaders begin their journey with keynote sessions by Dan Waeze and Precious Ebere Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  77. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie 2020 Winners Begin Receiving Prizes

    Library Selfie 2020 — winners across 8 African countries begin receiving prizes on International Day for Universal Access to Information LibrarySelfie Read story
  78. Across Africa

    Meet the YALLF 2020 Cohort: 37 Leaders from 12 Countries

    YALLF 2020 cohort — 37 young library leaders across 12 African countries join next generation to change the world Young African Library Leaders Fellowship Read story
  79. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie 2019 in IFLA PressReader Marketing Award Top 10

    Library Selfie 2019 recognized in top 10 of IFLA/PressReader International Marketing Award Winners 2020 LibrarySelfie Read story
  80. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie 2020 Winners Announced on International Literacy Day

    Library Selfie 2020 — winners announced on International Literacy Day; over 66 entries received across countries despite COVID-19 pandemic LibrarySelfie Read story
  81. Nigeria

    LibrarySelfie 2019: Prize-Giving in Nigeria

    Library Selfie 2019 — prize giving in Nigeria with Goethe-Institut Nigeria, Nigerian Library Association, and National Library of Nigeria LibrarySelfie Read story
  82. South Africa

    LibrarySelfie 2019: Prize-Giving in South Africa

    Library Selfie 2019 — prize giving in South Africa with Goethe-Institut Johannesburg LibrarySelfie Read story
  83. Kenya

    LibrarySelfie 2019: Prize-Giving in Kenya

    Library Selfie 2019 — prize giving in Kenya with Goethe-Institut Kenya LibrarySelfie Read story
  84. Namibia

    LibrarySelfie 2019: Prize-Giving in Namibia

    Library Selfie 2019 — prize giving in Namibia with Goethe-Institut Namibia LibrarySelfie Read story
  85. Across Africa

    LibrarySelfie 2019 Winners Announced

    Library Selfie 2019 winners announced — Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa LibrarySelfie Read story

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