The event, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., is organised by the Rwanda Books Industry Association (RWABIA/PSF) in collaboration with the Rwanda Writers Federation (RWF) and partners. Representatives of the Pan-African Writers Association, a continental body bringing together writers and writers’ organisations across Africa, are also expected to attend.

The celebration aims to promote African literature, strengthen reading and writing culture, support the publishing industry and highlight the contribution of writers to the continent’s social, cultural and economic development.

Writers at the heart of Africa’s transformation

The 2026 celebration will be held under the theme: “African Writers at the Heart of Africa’s Transformation: Writing Our Stories, Preserving Our Heritage and Building a Knowledge-Based Continent.”

The theme highlights the role of writers in preserving history, culture and knowledge while contributing to Africa’s intellectual and economic development.

A high-level panel discussion will examine the question: “Can Africa Build a Knowledge-Based Economy Without Building a Strong Reading, Writing and Publishing Culture?”

The discussion will explore how books, research, publishing and reading can contribute to Africa’s long-term development.

International Book Fair among major highlights

The programme will feature an International Book Fair and Exhibition, where writers, publishers and other book industry players will showcase their works.

Participants will be able to discover and purchase books, interact with authors and publishers, establish professional networks and explore opportunities for collaboration across African countries.

Other activities will include panel discussions, book presentations and launches, group discussions, networking sessions and recognition of outstanding writers for their contributions to literature, education, research and culture.

Hategekimana highlights writers’ role in national development

Richard Hategekimana, chairman of the Rwanda Books Industry Association and president of the Rwanda Writers Federation, said the celebration provides an opportunity to recognise writers as contributors to national and continental development.

He expressed appreciation to President Paul Kagame for promoting values such as patriotism, discipline, resilience, hard work and commitment to national development, which he said continue to inspire Rwanda’s writing community.

“On behalf of Rwanda’s writers and the book industry, we deeply appreciate the leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame. His leadership has inspired us to understand that writing is not simply about producing books; it is also a responsibility to preserve knowledge, document our country’s journey, promote our values and ensure that future generations understand where Rwanda has come from, what it has achieved and the aspirations that continue to guide its development,” Hategekimana said.

He urged writers to uphold these values by documenting Rwanda’s experiences and achievements while contributing ideas that support the country’s continued development.

“These values should also guide us as writers. We have a responsibility to write our own stories, document Rwanda’s achievements accurately and responsibly, preserve our history and contribute ideas that can support the country’s continued development,” he added.

Hategekimana also called for greater support for writers, describing investment in the book industry as an investment in knowledge and the development of society.

“When we support a writer, we are investing in knowledge. When people buy and read books, they contribute to building a society that thinks critically, creates knowledge, innovates and preserves its story for future generations,” he said.

He called on universities, schools, private sector institutions, development partners and the wider public to support writers by buying, reading and promoting their books.

“Our writers must be valued, our books must be read, and African stories must be documented and preserved by Africans themselves,” he said.

Writers urged to document Rwanda’s development journey

Hategekimana encouraged Rwandan writers to conduct research, produce quality publications and document developments in areas including education, governance, economic transformation, technology, entrepreneurship, culture, unity and infrastructure.

“Our country is producing experiences and lessons that deserve to be documented. If we do not write them, important knowledge can be lost. As writers, we must therefore transform what our country is achieving into books, research and other forms of knowledge that can be accessed by Rwandans, Africans and future generations,” he said.

He also urged young Rwandans to embrace reading, writing and research, noting that a knowledge-based economy requires citizens who can think critically, question existing ideas, innovate and generate new knowledge.

“Let us write Rwanda. Let us preserve our heritage. Let us document our achievements and lessons.

“And above all, let us build a generation that understands that books and knowledge are essential foundations of sustainable development,” he said.