The Training Programme for Arab and African Publishers 2025 commenced in Sharjah on Saturday, bringing together 161 publishers, including 75 from across Africa, alongside authors and industry professionals from around the world. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) in collaboration with New York University (NYU), the annual initiative reflects Sharjah’s growing commitment to nurturing global publishing talent and expanding the reach of Arab and African publishers.
Held at Expo Centre Sharjah, this year’s programme focused on practical strategies to navigate an evolving publishing landscape. Sessions covered managing audio content, developing effective audiobook strategies, scaling family-run publishing firms into international brands, and exploring new digital distribution models. The agenda highlighted the need for regional publishers to adopt technological innovation, diversify content formats, and establish sustainable global partnerships.
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publishing Services at the SBA, stated that the programme aligns with the Authority’s broader vision, under the leadership of H.H. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, to support professionals in the publishing ecosystem. “It is crucial for publishers to learn from international industry leaders and foster cross-border collaboration to raise the standards and effectiveness of the sector,” Al Hassani stated.
Representing NYU, Andrea Chambers, Associate Dean of the SPS Centre for Publishing, Writing, and Media, noted that this year’s focus is on sharing best practices and addressing challenges that hinder growth. “Our goal is to help publishers expand their reach and find new audiences by learning from leading executives in the field,” she said.
In his keynote session titled “Global Book Industry & Publishing in Emerging Markets,” Markus Dohle, CEO Emeritus of Penguin Random House, connected global publishing trends to emerging opportunities in the Arab world and Africa. He highlighted that 86 percent of the world’s population resides in emerging economies with faster GDP growth, creating significant expansion potential. Dohle pointed to thriving markets in India, Southeast Asia, and Africa, with the latter projected to reach US$18.5 billion by 2050.
The audio publishing segment also received strong attention. Amanda D’Acierno, Global President of Penguin Random House Audio, in her session “Bracing Audio: Effective Strategies for Publishers Big and Small,” emphasised that while around 30 percent of the global population has listened to at least one audiobook, the Arabic-language market remains largely untapped, with just 12,000 available Arabic titles for a potential audience of 400 million speakers. D’Acierno advised publishers to localise production and maintain quality standards, noting that “a customer who has a positive experience with audiobooks will return time after time.”
Brooke O’Donnell, Senior Vice President at Independent Publishers Group (IPG), discussed strategies for global expansion, emphasizing the importance of clear objectives, sound budgeting, and selecting the right distribution partners. She cited print-on-demand as a practical, low-risk approach for exploring new markets, allowing publishers to optimise intellectual property while achieving scalable growth.
Mariana Féged, General Manager of Bookwire MENA, shared that the company now serves 2,500 clients across seven markets, offering more than 1 million ebooks and 200,000 audiobooks. She revealed that audio content accounts for 71 percent of digital revenue, reinforcing its role as the most profitable segment. With the Arabic digital publishing market growing at a 147 percent compound annual growth rate, Féged urged publishers to “make their catalogues available across all business models to maximise revenue opportunities.”
By bringing together leading international voices and regional publishers, the Sharjah programme reaffirmed its role as a key platform for developing the future of Arab and African publishing. With innovation, digital transformation, and collaboration at its core, the initiative continues to position Sharjah as a global centre for knowledge exchange and publishing excellence.
–Input WAM
