Challenges and Prospects for the Book Industry in Cameroon

Abstract

Cameroons infrastructure for a successful book industry has been weak and both the public and private sectors are still battling to resolve problems of illiteracy and the absence of a ‘reading culture’ coupled with other challenges. This study looks deep into challenges plaguing the book industry and prospects for the book in Cameroon. A Conceptual framework was developed to illustrate the relationships that exist between the variables. Cultural production theory was employed to understand the phenomenon. Combined method (survey and exploratory designs) adopted in this study facilitated the use of questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis was done using triangulation method. The target population comprised some stakeholders within selected communities of Buea, Bamenda and Yaoundé - Centre Capital of Cameroon (writers, publishers, literary agents, printers, book distributors, book sellers, libraries, consumers, state authorities and agencies concerned with books in Cameroon).

This study had as its main objective to examine the challenges faced by the book industry and the prospects for book publishing in Cameroon. Findings point to the fact even though the current era is digital era, the Cameroonian book industry is far from digital due to some challenges ranging from weak reading culture, financial constraints, limited infrastructure poor, content by authors, low purchasing power, lack of public awareness of copyright laws and increasing level of piracy, government policy, resistance to digitalization, lack of production materials, limited publishing houses, insecurity in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon and increase prices. Despite these challenges there are still prospects for publishing in Cameroon as there is growing interest in electronic books and the creation of regulatory institutions by the government and international organisations. It was concluded that operators in the book industry are already conscious of digitalization that is taking place around the world as far as book production is concern. Despite the fact that the Cameroon book industry is severely affected by declining readership and an unstable economy, there is development in the area of technological transfer which has led to the production of more appealing books. But not enough has been done in developing the know-how of book marketing strategies. Books should be promoted in the same way household items are promoted. If publishers employ trained marketers and expose them to further training in book selling via digital and traditional they will be in a good position to design strategies for book and reading promotion. As recommendation credibility and professionalization of actors in the book chain as well as respect for the chain by actors and the will of government authorities will go a long way to support the book industry. Decisions directly concerning the book industry must be inclusive.