Nairobi International Book Fair 2025 starts today!

The schedule for the Nairobi International Book Fair 2025, with the theme “Inspiring Readers, Shaping Futures,” to be held from September 24 – 28, 2025, has been announced.

The Nairobi International Book Fair, organised annually by the Kenya Publishers Association, has brought together publishers, authors, booksellers, print suppliers, media, and readers from Africa and worldwide since the first edition in 1996.

The Nairobi International Book Fair 2025 will be held for the twenty-sixth time at the Sarit Expo Centre in Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya, from September 24 – 28. With the theme “Inspiring Readers, Shaping Futures,” it will feature activities targeted at children to cultivate life-long attachment with books, as today’s children are the readers, authors, and publishers of tomorrow. It will feature books at highly discounted prices. The fair will be dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, celebrating his contributions to literature and culture.

Here is the schedule for the festival;

Wednesday, September 24

• Exhibition at Sarit Centre
• French Prize Award with eKitabu
• Legal Deposit of Books, Issuance of ISBN & CIP (Catalogue in Print) as well as procurement through E-GP with the Kenya National Library Services (KNLS)
• KPA Podcast – KPA Members and Exhibitors

Thursday, September 25

• Exhibition at Sarit Centre
• KPA Podcast – KPA Members and Exhibitors

Friday, September 26

• Exhibition at Sarit Centre
• School activity: Going Green/Tree Planting (Mahiga Primary, Kariobangi South Primary, St Mary’s Karen, Moi Forces Academy, Kimathi Primary, Kasarani Primary, North Highbridge Primary, Raila Educational Centre).
• Digital Essay Competition Award with eKitabu at Maal Hall.
• Book Launch: The Boy and The Lion with Storymoja Publishers at Mwina Hall.
• Workshop: Integrating AI into Publishing Business (Zoom) by Shimmr founder and CEO Nadim Sadek, organised – Maranga Hall.
• Coding – Teach the Future – STEM-based Coding and Robotics Training with KECOBO KPA
• Corporate Social Responsibility at Mogra Children’s Centre with the KPA.
• KPA Podcast – KPA Members and Exhibitors.

Saturday, September 27

• Exhibition at the Sarit Centre exhibition hall
• 10 am – 1 pm: The Importance of being Ngugi Wa Thiong’o with East African Educational Publishers and KPA at Maal Hall.
• Family Fun Day at Sarit Centre Corner with eKitabu.
• Book Launch: In Quest of Knowledge with Writers Guild at Maranga Hall.
• KPA Podcast – KPA members and exhibitors.
• Closing Ceremony.

Sunday, September 28

• Exhibition at Sarit Centre