Where to Buy Books in Kigali

This article is part of our exclusive Guide for premium subscribers. It is dedicated to providing insights into some of the most interesting people, brands, places, and ideas of what to look for and where to find it.

While most people will say they prefer soft copies nowadays, you will not be surprised that The Kigalian does encourage reading hard copies. It's true, there's a growing interest in new formats such as audiobooks or eBooks and there are good reasons for it — no question. First, it's getting harder and harder to find enough time to read. There seems to be a lot going on in our lives. Second, the vast trove of information and resources that are on the Internet can be absorbing. And third, literacy has been on the rise, thanks to massive investments in education globally. We pride in these developments as we know the benefits to be cross-cutting.

There are very few places to get books in Kigali. After all, we are a city of two million inhabitants in a low-income economy. But if you're looking to collect a few titles for your shelves or a weekend read, these places are our top recommendations.

Ikirezi Bookshop

Ikirezi is your best bet for the latest books in the city. Although quite limited in numbers, the bookshop promises a selection of some of the most recent renowned titles — from Yuval's Sapiens to Bill Gates's book on climate change and Chimamanda's Notes on Grief.