**Revitalizing the Book in the DRC: When Training Opens Unexpected Horizons**
Africa, and more specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has inestimable cultural wealth, but its book industry remains largely underexploited. A turning point could possibly occur in Bukavu, where a dozen authors recently participated in an intensive training on the book economy. This initiative, led by the writer Christian Gombo, is part of a broader framework of capacity building to propel the Congolese literary industry.
### Issues Anchored in Everyday Life
The book, as a tool of culture and transmission, plays a vital role in personal and collective development. The six-day training, which took place from January 20 to 25, 2025, is not just a series of workshops but a response to a structural challenge. In a country where reading is struggling to break through, it is essential to decipher the economic mechanisms that underpin the book chain. Christian Gombo stated a fundamental truth: “Many people who are in the book industry are not equipped”; a statement that highlights the urgent need to professionalize this sector.
### A Synergy of Cultural Actors
The USOMI project, which offered this training, illustrates the need for close collaboration between actors in the literary industry and the State. Participants from various entities, such as the Reading for All Network, expressed their satisfaction. Majaliwa Mugombozi Christophe stressed the importance of understanding the different actors in this chain, highlighting the direct impact of books on the economy. This awareness is crucial, because according to UNESCO, the book sector can contribute significantly to a country’s economy, both by creating jobs and stimulating innovation.
### Learning from International Models
It would be wise to look at international models for book development. For example, in Nigeria, government and NGO-supported initiatives have helped advance literary publishing and strengthen access to reading. The Nigerian experience could enlighten Congolese stakeholders on the need to develop an enabling environment that includes supportive policies, subsidies for authors and publishing, and paid sales spaces such as book fairs.
### The Inevitable Paths of Digitization
The fourth day of the training, which focused on the realities of publishing and the impact of artificial intelligence, also highlighted a fundamental aspect: digitization. In a world where the physical book is facing constant digital evolution, it is crucial to integrate digital technologies into this dynamic. Platforms like Wattpad and Kindle Direct Publishing have redefined the way authors publish and distribute their works. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where internet access is improving, it would be relevant for local actors to explore digital solutions that facilitate the distribution and sale of books.
### Beyond Theory: Action and Follow-up
One of the major challenges now remains the application of the skills acquired. Ansima Chimène explained that before the training, she had difficulty making her work profitable. The prospect of personal and economic enrichment through writing must be accompanied by logistical support and a favorable institutional framework. A collaborative roadmap, connecting participants to mentors and established professionals, could prove essential to maximize the impact of this training.
### Conclusion: A Promising Future
With the results of this training at hand, we can only be pleased with the future that is emerging for the book economy in the DRC. This type of initiative can only reinforce the idea that reading and writing are essential to building an educated and enlightened society. The book, beyond its role as a simple product, must be seen as a vector of social and economic change. Challenges exist, but as the participants affirmed, it is by supporting each other and actively engaging with government bodies that this vision can become a reality.
The end of this training does not mark the conclusion of a chapter, but the beginning of a new one, potentially transformative for the literary industry in the DRC. Book stakeholders, once armed with adequate tools and a shared vision, can indeed hope to revitalize this chain that is crucial for culture and the economy.