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It is no secret that sub-Saharan Africa is absent from the trading of book rights that happens at book fairs around the world. The reasons are two-fold. On one side, there is an obvious capacity problem, one of know-how and access. Are our editors or agents equipped for these negotiations? The second reason has to do with the marketability of the books we produce in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential these books have to travel across the continent and outside it. Are they attractive to other markets? The downside of our unpreparedness in this market is that our writers and publishers are being denied a potentially lucrative income stream from the rights sale of high-quality books.

The Africa Rights Forum is a bold intervention which we hope will address these issues by organising a convergence of African agents, editors and publishers for three consecutive years in the first instance. The inaugural edition will take place on 22-24 November 2023, during the Ake Arts & Book Festival on 22-25 November 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria. The programme of events will include talks, panel discussions, practice sessions, showcases and meetings.

It is time to build the essential blocks that will enable African publishers to have a presence in the rights marketplaces of the world.

We have opportunities for both trainers and attendees. Click here if you are interested in sharing your experience by participating in talks and panel discussions. For the editors/ publishers and agents on the African continent who would like to enjoy this opportunity to hear from international industry leaders, apply here. In addition to the existing trainee agents and editors, we have 4 spaces for the Editors Programme and 6 spaces for the Agents Programme.