As Rwanda strides toward becoming a knowledge-based economy, the promotion of literacy has emerged as a critical national focus. While significant progress has been made, challenges persist, and leaders in education and culture are calling for intensified efforts to cultivate a culture of reading and writing across the country.

Claude Nizeyimana, the Director of National Library Services at the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, commended the achievements in promoting literacy in Rwanda. He acknowledged the efforts made by the government and partners to enhance the reading culture while also highlighting key areas where more work is needed.

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"To enhance the culture of reading and writing, there is a need to initiate more conversations about books, starting within the family,” said Nizeyimana.

He emphasised that parents and guardians should view books as essential as food in a child’s development.

"Families should create spaces for books in their homes and dedicate time for daily reading. This will help instil a love for reading from an early age, encouraging children to develop ideas and even begin writing their own stories,” he added.

Nizeyimana also highlighted the importance of preserving Rwanda’s rich oral history by transitioning it into written form.

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"We spent many years with an oral culture. Now, it is time to reflect on our past and write about it to preserve it for future generations,” he said.

He stressed the need for community libraries, suggesting that every district, sector, and village should have a space where people can easily access books.

However, the gaps in Rwanda’s literacy efforts extend beyond just the physical availability of books.

Aimee Yedidya Senzeyi, the Chief of Party at USAID’s Ibitabo Kuri Twese project, pointed out that accessibility remains one of the primary challenges to fostering a strong reading culture.

"There is a lack of sufficient quantities of books for schools and communities, primarily due to high production costs faced by local publishers. Limited financial support restricts their ability to produce books in large quantities,” she noted.

Senzeyi noted that budget constraints and reliance on inconsistent donor support for Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) complicate the problem.

Additionally, she noted the low demand for books as a key challenge.

"The limited reading culture discourages publishers from printing large volumes of their titles because there is no reliable market,” she explained.

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Books, often seen as a luxury item, are beyond the financial reach of many Rwandan families, who prioritize basic needs over purchasing reading materials. Many children grow up with limited exposure to books, which is crucial for fostering a lifelong love of reading, Senzeyi added.

Senzeyi noted the importance of early introduction to levelled content tailored for different age groups, ensuring that books are accessible to parents and young readers alike.

In response to these challenges, the government, alongside partners like USAID, intensified efforts to boost the availability of reading materials across communities. The introduction of initiatives like the "Book Rally” aims to address the growing demand for books by facilitating their distribution through retail locations.

This initiative, according to Senzeyi, encourages existing businesses, including supermarkets, stationery shops, and art galleries, to stock children’s books, helping to spark a culture of reading through increased accessibility.

Yet, as Rwanda continues its push for a reading renaissance, Nizeyimana stressed the need for more professionals in the book industry.

"The lack of skilled professionals in the field of book publishing impedes the development of the industry and, by extension, the growth of a reading culture. We need more people who understand the work that needs to be done,” he said.

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Nizeyimana also pointed out the essence of promoting books in both physical and digital formats.

"As Rwanda rapidly advances in technology, the book industry must follow suit. We need to see more books published in both physical and electronic formats, such as e-books and audiobooks. This digital shift would make books more accessible to a broader audience, especially as more Rwandans embrace technology in their daily lives,” he said.

A gap remains in the availability of books written in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda’s national language.

Nizeyimana said that while many Rwandans write in foreign languages, there is a need to increase the number of books written in Kinyarwanda or translate existing books into the mother tongue.

"Kinyarwanda is the language spoken and understood by all Rwandans. We need more books that our people can read and comprehend easily,” he said.