With nearly 60 per cent of West Africa’s population under 15, the demographic case for investing in children’s literature is compelling.

The Lomé Youth Book Fair (SALIJEL) returns for its third edition 14-17 October, bringing together 30 exhibitors from France, Turkey, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea and Ghana.

Organised by the Lire au Togo association at the University of Lomé’s Village du Bénin, this year’s theme – “Children’s Books as a Driver of Cultural Cooperation in West Africa” – signals growing ambition to connect authors, publishers, booksellers and illustrators across the region.

A Home-Grown Initiative with Regional Reach

SALIJEL was founded in 2024 by Simon de Saint-Dzokotoe, an author and publisher who leads the Lire au Togo association. The inaugural edition drew over 5,000 visitors and 26 exhibitors from five countries, with publishers from Benin, Ghana, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire making the journey to Lomé.

The 2025 edition maintained similar attendance, and the 2026 programme will again feature the “Les Étoiles de la Lecture” reading competition finals, workshops, and professional meetings.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The fair arrives at a pivotal moment for Togolese publishing. The broader Lomé International Book Fair (FI2L) was revived in April 2026 by the Togolese Center for Exhibitions and Fairs (CETEF) in partnership with the Togolese Writers’ Association, highlighting renewed institutional interest in the sector.

Yet significant hurdles remain: locally produced books face distribution difficulties, library access is limited, and very few Togolese authors currently write for young readers.

The dissolution of the Nouvelles Éditions Africaines in 1990 dealt a lasting blow to regional children’s publishing, and industry figures such as Christiane Tchotcho Ekué of Graines de Pensées have noted that authors often lack the specialised skills required to write effectively for children.

Building an Ecosystem

SALIJEL 2026 will introduce a dedicated platform for university students, trainee teachers and librarians, strengthening ties between publishing and academia. A literary tour will visit more than 20 schools across Lomé, extending the fair’s reach beyond the exhibition hall.

The View From The Beach

These initiatives reflect a wider trend: the first Forum of African Children’s Publishers, held in Togo in 2025, gathered 52 publishers from 15 countries, demonstrating the sub-region’s potential.

With nearly 60 per cent of West Africa’s population under 15, the demographic case for investing in children’s literature is compelling. For publishing professionals, SALIJEL represents an increasingly important gateway into one of the continent’s most promising markets.

Trust me on that! I live here! (West Africa, not Togo specifically.)

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.