• Benin is guest of honor at the 2026 African Book Fair in Paris.
• More than 400 authors and 150 publishers from 20 countries are expected.
• The spotlight comes as Benin’s publishing sector continues to grow.

The fifth edition of the African Book Fair in Paris (SLAP) is set to highlight African literature, with Benin named guest of honor and Angola invited as special guest. The three-day event will open on Friday, March 20, at the Halle des Blancs Manteaux in Paris’ Marais district.

Organizers expect more than 400 authors and 150 publishers from about 20 countries across Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, reinforcing the fair’s position as an international hub for cultural exchange. Around 40 conferences are scheduled, covering topics ranging from history and literature to economics, politics, ecology, science and philosophy. Youth will be at the center of this year’s discussions.

As in previous editions since its launch in 2021, the fair will bring together leading African and Afro-descendant writers. Book signings and roundtables are designed to foster direct dialogue between authors and readers, offering writers broader international exposure.

The 2026 program places Benin and Angola at the heart of the literary spotlight. Conferences and discussions aim to boost the global visibility of writers from both countries. Authors have until Saturday, Feb. 28, to apply for a chance to present their work to an audience of publishers, critics and readers from around the world.

A platform for Benin’s literary growth

Benin’s guest-of-honor status comes at a time of growing recognition for its publishing sector. According to the 2025 UNESCO report The African Book Industry, nearly 50 publishing houses are active in the country, and around 125 titles were released between 2021 and 2023. The sector is gradually becoming more structured, supported by public measures such as VAT exemptions on books, which help improve access to reading and support local publishers.

This momentum is also visible in national initiatives like the annual National Book Fair, held in multiple cities. The 2025 edition took place simultaneously in Cotonou, Ouidah, Parakou and Abomey, drawing large crowds and helping spotlight emerging writers. The events underscore both the vitality of the sector and efforts to decentralize cultural offerings.

UNESCO data suggests that Benin stands out for combining economic structuring with cultural promotion. Authors are gaining greater recognition, publishers are exploring new markets, and literature is increasingly seen as a driver of economic development through job creation and the international circulation of books.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou