Aimé Badjam Yan-Tchamsi is a scholar of linguistics, a literary writer, and the founder of
the Dictionnaire bilingue pévé-français (bilingual Pévé-French dictionary). He is campaigning for
the structuring of the book sector in Chad. He is the author of many literary texts, and works
in linguistics and anthropology. He works with younger authors on their publication
journeys.
Introduction
The publishing sector in Chad, for a long time concealed, is being progressively structured
around several publishing houses uniquely established in N’Djamena. This overview
provides a reading of the current dynamics, through publishing actors identified via their
book ISBNs. Revealing a proliferation of cultural, religious, academic and private initiatives,
it underlines the strengths of the sector whilst outlining the challenges and development
perspectives in a country seeking a veritable book industry.
Chadian publishing, although of low media profile, is demonstrating an increasing vitality.
N’Djamena, the capital, is playing a central role. There is a concentration of a group of
publishing houses officially registered in the ISBN system. This study derives from data
provided by AFNIL (Agence Francophone pour la Numérotation Internationale du Livre –
francophone agency for international book cataloguing), an agency that reviews legal
publishing houses that meet editorial norms through the use of ISBNs. This source is a
pertinent indicator of the structuring of the publishing landscape in Chad. The geographical
concentration of publishers in the capital bears witness to the city as a motor in the
dissemination of knowledge, ideas and local culture.
Mapping a concentration in publishing
From online research and via AFNIL, 18 requests for ISBNs in Chad have been made, from:
AGI, Alliance Biblique du Tchad, Centre culturel Al-Mouna, Chari, Djimadoum (Grace
Horbira), Éditions Guirbeye-Infographie, Édition Le Souffle, Éditions Salon des Belles
Lettres, Éditions Sedia, Huet (Jean-Christophe), L’Infini, Les Éditions Le Pays, Les Éditions
Toumaï, Les Éditions universitaires indépendantes, Maison d’édition CIM, Presses de
l’université de N’Djaména, and Éditions Sao et Vandoris.
Amongst these publishers, some are no longer present. Others have struggled to emerge
from anonymity. The 18 publishing houses reviewed are all situated in N’Djamena. This
reflects not only the centralisation of the human, technical and logistical resources necessary for publishing, but also the need to structure it around a strong urban pole. The publishing
houses cover various domains: religious literature (Alliance Biblique du Tchad), cultural
publications, humanities, social sciences, and creative arts (Les Éditions toumaï, Centre
culturel Al-Mouna, Les Éditions universitaires indépendantes, Presses de l’université de
N’Djaména, Éditions Le Souffle, and Maison d’édition CIM).
Signs of structuring
Attribution of ISBNs to publishers is one of the indicators of professionalisation of the
sector. Introducing codes starting 979 signals adaptation of the most recent international
standards. This structuring is offering Chadian authors a framework that is more and more
viable for the publication of their works.
Challenges
Despite this dynamic, the sector is facing major obstacles: the non-regularisation of some
publishing houses working in the informal space; the weakness of printing infrastructure; an
inexistent book chain, marketing and distribution system; and lack of institutional support.
The readership is still underserved in a context in which reading is not a national priority.
Authors and publishers often have to self-finance their works – where public support and
national book policies are hardly traditions of the state.
Perspectives and stakes
The proliferation of publishing initiatives is a bearer of hope for Chadian culture. Promoting
reading, training professional editors, and cooperation with other African countries and
international institutions could all benefit the emergence of a real book market. This sector is
able to contribute actively to education, research, and the collective memory of Chad.
In this landscape, certain publishing houses are distinguished by opening themselves up to
international audiences. Éditions Toumaï and Éditions Le Souffle, for example, are
collaborating with European distributors. Their works are available for sale online at a global
level. This will significantly increase the visibility of Chadian literary production beyond
national borders. This capacity to reach a global readership offers encouraging perspectives
for the entire sector.
This publishing panorama of N’Djamena reveals a cultural dynamic in gestation, sustained
by a diversity of publishing houses active in many domains. Although numerous challenges
remain – in areas of distribution, promotion, financing, and readership – existing initiatives
bear witness to the strong potential for the development of a real book industry in Chad. By
strengthening local capacities, supporting professionalisation, and encouraging reading, the
country can transform this editorial ecosystem into a true lever of cultural and intellectual
growth.
Call to action
See also my article ‘Comment trouver une maison d’édition fiable’ – How to find a viable
publishing house.
This article was translated from French by Stephanie Kitchen.
A French version of the article is available here: