The IPA’s Africa Publishing Innovation Fund (APIF) Committee has convened in Sharjah, UAE to discuss the
projects that received funding from the APIF in the 2021 cycle, and explore ways to scale up and enhance
these projects. Now in its third cycle, the fund is a joint initiative of the IPA and Dubai Cares, a UAE-based
global philanthropic organization, and aims to support literacy, book access, indigenous publishing, and library
services across Africa.
Comprising senior publishing leaders from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia and South Africa, and led by Bodour
Al Qasimi, President of the IPA, the fund’s objectives are laid out annually and address the most pressing
challenges facing African publishing.
Praising the committee members on the success of the fund, IPA President Bodour Al Qasimi said: “We are
thrilled to see the impact this fund has had over the past two-years in championing home-grown projects
across Africa. These projects effectively address challenges and respond to the needs of the indigenous
publishing, education, and library sectors. APIF is the IPA’s first-ever foray into the grant-giving domain in our
125-year history, and the fantastic results demonstrate that it’s never too late to get behind a cause and lead
lasting change. Along with our partner Dubai Cares, we have mobilised this fund strategically to advance key
sectors vital for sustainable development.”
Describing their partnership with the IPA as a natural extension of Dubai Cares’ commitment to ensuring that
children worldwide can take advantage of the life-long benefits of the crucial skill of reading, Dr. Tariq Al Gurg,
Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares, noted: “Since the establishment of APIF, we have
witnessed remarkable outcomes that are expanding IPA’s contributions towards promoting literacy. We thank
the IPA for their sustained efforts in improving literacy, book access, indigenous publishing, and library
restoration in Africa, and look forward to continuing our work together and positively impacting the lives of
people across Africa.”
Halfway through its four-year mandate, the USD 800,000 grant funded by Dubai Cares and administered by the
IPA, has received an array of inspiring ideas off the ground. So far, the fund has disbursed USD 400,000 to 12
initiatives, including eight publishing innovations and four library projects in over five countries across the
African continent.
2021 APIF winners present projects, and share challenges and lessons learned
On the sidelines of the API Committee meeting, a workshop brought together the five winners of the 2021
edition of APIF. Participants included Catherine Uwimana from Save the Children International, Rwanda; Will
Clurman, eKitabu, Kenya; Chirikure Chirikure, Zimbabwe; Alison Tweed, Chief Executive, Book Aid
International, UK and Kumuriwor Alira Bushiratu, Learners Girls Foundation, Ghana. They made detailed
presentations sharing individual experiences of the on-ground challenges they faced and lessons they learned
in the process of successfully setting up and executing their projects funded by APIF.
Offering each other guidance and recommendations on steps to continue enhancing the quality and outreach
of their respective projects, all agreed that the grant has been life-changing for their respective communities.
The day concluded with an APIF dinner attended by Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-
Chairman of Dubai Cares and the APIF committee members.