We donate and ship books and computers from the UK to individuals and organisations in Africa

How We Work

Request donated books and computers for an individual or organisational library in Africa and fund the shipping and clearing costs.

Request Materials Online

Complete our online request form below to request and fund a shipment of books and computers to an individual or organisation based in any African country. Select the types of books you need from the 22 subject categories available in our stock, suitable for nursery to tertiary readers. All applicants must agree to not sell donated materials if approved.

Fund Your Shipment

Raise funds to cover the cost of shipping and clearing your donated materials. Your fundraising target is determined by the quantity of books and shipment type required. We provide a minimum of 1,000 books shipped in a pallet box and a maximum of 40,000 books shipped in a 40ft container for each application. Donated materials are dispatched after funds are received.

Send Photos and Reports

Immediately after receiving your educational materials, you are required to send us Impact Photos of beneficiaries holding a small number of labelled books received. After a month of equipping your library and using your books and computers, organisations are also required to complete an Impact Report questionnaire online which is published on our website and shared with supporters.

Types of Books We Donate

You can request a donation of books across our 22 categories for all ages and subjects, from nursery school to university level. Our books are a mixture of new and used conditions, published mainly in English, with a special French Collection category for books published in French. All our books are thoroughly checked to meet quality standards before they are shipped to Africa. Click on any of the book categories below to download a sample of titles that are included in each category. 

Types of Computers We Donate

Books2Africa is a Microsoft Third-Party Refurbisher and all our laptops and desktops meet the minimum requirements for Windows 10 Pro. Our Tech Team checks and refurbishes donated technology in line with Microsoft’s standards, ensuring all data on devices are securely wiped and reinstalled with original licences and essential productivity apps. Refurbished laptops come with a battery and charger and refurbished desktops come with a monitor and essential accessories. The minimum specifications are 4GB RAM and 100GB HDD.

Types of Shipments and Costs

When requesting educational materials, you can choose any of the following shipment types depending on the types and quantities of materials required.

Digital Study Pack

A small cardboard box containing 1 refurbished laptop with Windows 10 Pro licence, a Namene Solar reading light and access to digital books online via our partners Perlego and Britannica Kids. You can choose what online digital platform you prefer when applying. 

Shipping and Admin

A contribution of £150 covers the shipping and admin costs from our UK office to an airport in your country. The shipment is dispatched by DHL air freight after funds are received, and it arrives in your country’s airport within 3-5 days.

Clearing and Delivery

An additional £50 covers local clearing charges and door-to-door delivery costs if required. Otherwise, you are responsible for all clearing and destination charges.

Impact Reporting

Immediately after receiving your items, send us Impact Photos of beneficiaries holding or using the laptop and other items received. After a month of using your items, organisations are also required to complete an Impact Report questionnaire online to complete your delivery.

Pallet Box

A giant cardboard box carrying an average of 1,000 books – enough to fill 3 shelves and equip a classroom library. You can request multiple pallets but can only choose one category of books per pallet when applying. Each pallet is 100 x 120 x 120cm and weighs 500kg.

Shipping and Admin

A contribution of £500 covers the shipping and admin costs from our UK office to a seaport in your country. The shipment is dispatched by sea freight after receiving your funds, and it arrives in your country’s seaport within 30-60 days.

Clearing and Delivery

Get free clearing and delivery to our depot in selected countries through our Container Sharing Service (CSS). Otherwise, you are responsible for all clearing and destination charges.

Impact Reporting

Immediately after receiving your items, send us Impact Photos of beneficiaries holding or using any labelled books received. After a month of equipping and using your library organisations are also required to complete an Impact Report questionnaire online to complete your delivery.

20ft Container

A 20ft container carrying an average of 20,000 books – enough to fill 60 shelves and equip a school library. You can choose what categories of books to include in your shipment when applying. Each container is 20ft x 8ft and weighs 10,000kg. 

Shipping and Admin

A contribution of £5,000 covers the shipping and admin costs from our UK office to a seaport in your country. The shipment is dispatched by sea freight after receiving your funds, and it arrives in your country’s seaport within 30-60 days.

Clearing and Delivery

Clearing and delivery services are unavailable. You are responsible for all clearing and destination charges. Please contact a local clearing agent for a quote. 

Impact Reporting

Immediately after receiving your items, send us Impact Photos of beneficiaries holding or using any labelled books received. After a month of equipping and using your library organisations are also required to complete an Impact Report questionnaire online to complete your delivery.

40ft Container

A 40ft container carrying an average of 40,000 books – enough to fill 120 shelves and equip a university library. You can choose what categories of books to include in your shipment when applying.Each container is 40ft x 8ft and weighs 20,000kg. 

Shipping and Admin

A contribution of £8,000 covers the shipping and admin costs from our UK office to a seaport in your country. The shipment is dispatched by sea freight after receiving your funds, and it arrives in your country’s seaport within 30-60 days.

Clearing and Delivery

Clearing and delivery services are unavailable. You are responsible for all clearing and destination charges. Please contact a local clearing agent for a quote. 

Impact Reporting

Immediately after receiving your items, send us Impact Photos of beneficiaries holding or using any labelled books received. After a month of equipping and using your library organisations are also required to complete an Impact Report questionnaire online to complete your delivery.

Africa Distribution Centres

If you need less than a pallet of books, you can gain access to educational materials at our Africa Distribution Centres, where you can read books for free or contribute a distribution fee of up to £1 per book to acquire any book available in stock. Books2Africa’s Distribution Centres are giant warehouses where thousands of books are stocked and put on display for individuals and organisations to read or request books locally.

Case Study: Tukongote Library, Zambia

“The effect of donated books is so great, especially for the kids who are from the villages. They will come in and read books. Sometimes they can’t read but they will open pages and see pictures, and just get excited to have this place. For us, we have times when we come here and study, and also research for our own teaching. And just for amusement! For me, I will just come, sit there in the corner and read. I like reading fiction: horror and also romance books” – Edward.

Help with Fundraising

Although we do not always have sufficient funding to cover your shipping and clearing costs, you can try the fundraising resources below. 

Do you need tools?

Our partner Tools With A Mission (TWAM) is a UK charity that supports people in Africa with tools such as sewing machines and sewing kits, knitting machine, carpentry kit, mechanic kit, masonry kit, plumbers kit, farmers kit and more. Head to the TWAM website to apply.