About Books2Africa

Books2Africa is a Canterbury-based charity founded in 2012 by four students at the University of Kent. From our Processing Centre at the Barton Business Park estate, we collect, process, and ship quality educational resources to schools and institutions across Africa.

Yet many in Canterbury and Kent are not aware of the amazing impact happening from their backyard.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: educating people, protecting the environment. By promoting a culture of readcycling, we extend the life of books, computers, and stationery—preventing waste and ensuring resources are reused and re-loved.

Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption), we work in consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to make education accessible and sustainable.

Our 4 Millionth Book Milestone – The Audacity of Hope

We are proud to announce that in 2025, Books2Africa has now shipped 4 million books to Africa, benefiting schools, universities, libraries, and community projects across 25 African countries.

The 4 millionth book donated by Books2Africa was The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. This title carries a powerful symbolism for our mission.

Obama’s reflections on hope, unity, and the pursuit of opportunity resonate deeply with our vision of education as a force for transformation. For the students who will receive this book, it represents not only knowledge but also inspiration—the belief that with access to education, they too can shape their futures and contribute to their communities.

Marking our 4 millionth book with The Audacity of Hope reminds us that every single book matters. Each one carries ideas, stories, and lessons that can spark change. Together, they form a collective library of hope across Africa.

Donor Spotlight: Tonbridge Grammar School and Higher Ground College

Tonbridge Grammar School (TGS) in Kent has been an incredible supporter. In June, their school community raised funds and donated 2,061 books. These ranged from curriculum textbooks to novels, poetry, and fiction from students—resources that might otherwise have gone to landfill.

The books were sent to Higher Ground College, a rural school in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. With 175 students, the school faces challenges such as leaking roofs, unreliable power, and a shortage of learning materials. Yet, with better access to quality resources, these students have the chance to fulfil their potential and shape their futures.

This partnership is a reminder that even one book can inspire students thousands of miles apart. A single story or textbook can spark curiosity in Nigeria while teaching students in Tonbridge the value of sharing knowledge. Each book becomes a bridge, connecting young people across continents in a shared journey of learning.

We have paired TGS with Higher Ground College in a long-term relationship. As donations continue, TGS receives feedback from the Nigerian students who benefit from their books. This exchange fosters pride, empathy, and enriched learning for students on both sides.

Sponsor Spotlight: Ninety Foundation

We are proud to highlight the support of the Ninety Foundation, a UK charity created by Ninety Consulting to extend its social impact.

Through its partnership with Books2Africa, Ninety Foundation has sponsored shipments that have enabled us to ship 364,000 books across Africa. Their impact includes:

• St. Michael’s Primary School, Namibia (2024): A new library transformed learning for children in a remote community.
• Book Buddies by Ashezi, Nigeria (2024): A ten-year-old girl launched a thriving book club thanks to donated resources.
• Restore Leadership Primary School, Uganda (2019): An empty library was filled, sparking a culture of daily reading.
• Government College Jos, Nigeria (2025): Donations equipped one of Nigeria’s historic schools with vital resources.

Ninety Foundation shows how corporate innovation can drive social transformation—turning unused books into catalysts for opportunity.

The Role of Volunteers

Behind every shipment are the hands and hearts of volunteers. Through our International Volunteer Programme (IVP), young people from across Africa join us in Canterbury to gain experience in the NGO sector while making a tangible impact.

Volunteers are trained in logistics, processing, and impact reporting, and take part in trips, placements and seminars covering:

• NGOs and the International Community
• Human Resources and Professionalism
• Entrepreneurship and Career Development

Each year, their collective effort helps us move closer towards achieving our impact goal of readcycling 1 million books and 1,000 computers, saving hundreds of thousands of kilograms of usable resources from landfill.

How You Can Help

Reaching 4 million books is a collective achievement—but the journey continues.

The need remains urgent. In Africa, 8 in 10 children are unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10, and only around 11% of children achieve minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics by the end of primary school. With more than 30 million children still out of school, the lack of resources continues to limit opportunities for millions. Every book donated helps close this gap, giving students the tools they need to learn, thrive, and build brighter futures.

You can support education sustainably by:

• Donating books, stationery, or computers.
• Sponsoring shipments to schools in need.
• Partnering with us to establish more Books2Africa Distribution Centres across Africa.

Every contribution helps prevent waste, promote sustainability, and empower students across Africa.

This milestone belongs to all of you—our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters. Together, we have ensured that millions of books are not gathering dust or ending up in landfill, but are instead opening doors to knowledge, opportunity, and hope.

Thank you for being part of this journey.