Ranking of the Largest Libraries in Africa by 2025
Top African Libraries: A Blend of History, Culture, and Education
Africa is home to a rich tapestry of libraries, each with its unique characteristics and histories. These libraries play pivotal roles in preserving cultural heritage, promoting education, and fostering research. Here are some of the most notable libraries on the continent.
East Africa
In Kenya, the Kenyatta University Library stands as a significant hub for learning within the country's educational system. It serves students, faculty, and the general public, providing a vast collection of digital resources, including over 170,000 electronic journals and 180,000 electronic books.
Across the border in Uganda, the Libraries of Love project supports 53 libraries, primarily in Uganda and Kenya. Established in 2005, these libraries focus on providing organized, accessible book collections with active book borrowing by students and regular librarian training meetings.
West Africa
West Africa is historically renowned for its manuscript culture, with about 67,000 manuscripts preserved in local libraries. These libraries hold important cultural and intellectual heritage relating to literacy and the book trade that historically connected West Africa with North Africa and beyond.
North Africa
In Egypt, the Saint Catherine's Monastery Library is one of the oldest operational libraries in the Christian world, boasting over 3,300 ancient manuscripts, making it the second largest collection of its kind in the world.
South Africa
The National Library of South Africa is a significant library in the region, playing a significant role in preserving and promoting the country's cultural and intellectual heritage. As a statutory body established on November 1, 1999, it houses millions of items, including books, manuscripts, and archival documents representing South Africa’s literary heritage.
Another notable library in South Africa is the Wits University Library, known for its research and academic resources.
Morocco
The library in Fez, housed within the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, is one of the oldest universities and libraries in the world, founded in 859 AD. It houses a collection of more than 4,000 rare books and ancient Arabic manuscripts, with a treasure being a Qur'an dating back to the ninth century.
Eritrea
The Keren Public Library provides a wide range of resources to the general public, promoting literacy and access to information through education. It has received support from international organizations and educational institutions, enabling it to acquire additional books, computers, and resources for the community.
Egypt
The Library of Alexandria is a contemporary library and cultural center located in Alexandria, Egypt, and is a modern tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria.
Nigeria
The University of Ibadan Library is one of the largest university libraries in West Africa, with a rich collection supporting African studies and humanities.
Egypt (again)
The Misr University for Science and Technology Central Library offers various resources, including a general collection of books, digital libraries, digital archives, and research repositories.
Ghana
The Balme Library, located in the University of Ghana, serves as a repository for publications from the United Nations.
While there is no direct listing or competitive ranking of African libraries in terms of size in 2025, key African libraries are notable for their historical manuscript collections, their role in education and literacy programs, and their combination of traditional and modern cultural importance.
For more detailed profiles of specific major African libraries, additional data or general knowledge can be utilized.
