Pan-African Writers’ Symposium
PAWS.
Ideas. People. Africa’s Future.
A premier platform for dialogue, learning and collaboration among writers, scholars, publishers and knowledge professionals from across Africa. The 4th edition took place on 2–3 October 2025 at the University of Dar es Salaam Library.
PAWS 2025
Hybrid Conference- 2–3 October 2025
- University of Dar es Salaam Library
About PAWS
Where Africa’s writers and publishers meet
The Tanzania Academic and Non-Fiction Writers’ Association (TANFWA), with support from the Non-Fiction and Translators Association of Norway (NFF) and the International Authors’ Forum (IAF), hosted the 4th Pan African Writers Symposium (PAWS).
PAWS brings authors, publishers, booksellers, editors, translators, illustrators, academics, policy makers and researchers together to share ideas and shape the future of publishing on the continent.
- 2–3 October 2025
- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- In person & online
PAWS 2025 highlights
Two days in under two minutes
Watch voices, panels and moments from the 4th Pan African Writers Symposium, then jump straight to the part you want.
Theme & subthemes
What PAWS 2025 set out to explore
Theme
“Harnessing New and Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Publishing Industry Development in Africa”
Navigating the New Frontiers
How new and emerging technologies are reshaping the way African books are written, produced and shared.
Copyright and AI on Authors’ Rights
What artificial intelligence means for ownership, consent and fair reward for authors.
Academic Authorship Landscape in Africa
The state of scholarly writing and publishing across the continent.
Capacity Building and Authorship Transformation in Africa
Building the skills and institutions that help authors thrive.
Participants & organisations
A room full of the people who make books happen
PAWS 2025 brought together people from every part of the book chain from across Africa and beyond. Key institutions included ministries responsible for education, copyright offices, publishers’ associations and writers’ organisations.
Participation was open to TANFWA members, invited guests and international delegates from several African countries.
- Authors
- Publishers
- Booksellers
- Editors
- Translators
- Illustrators
- Academics
- Policy makers
- Researchers
- Teachers
- Artists
- Designers
- Librarians
Event snapshot
PAWS 2025 at a glance
Date & time
2–3 October 2025
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EAT daily
Venue
University of Dar es Salaam Library
Main Campus, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Registration fee
- TANFWA membersFree
- Non-membersTZS 50,000
- International participants$50
Questions about PAWS? Email info@tanfwa.or.tz or call +255 733 009 996.
The PAWS journey
From Cape Town to Dar es Salaam
PAWS in Cape Town, South Africa
TANFWA’s General Director, Aris Maro, presented a paper at PAWS, and TANFWA took part in the question-and-answer sessions that followed.
The 4th PAWS in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
TANFWA hosted the symposium at the University of Dar es Salaam Library on the theme of new and emerging technologies and sustainable publishing in Africa.
The conversation continues
Follow TANFWA’s news to hear about the next symposium and how to take part.
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Gallery
Moments from PAWS 2025
Select a photo to view it full size.
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