Jamesty
On the basis of a list that was provided, this article provides information about ten of the most important libraries in Africa. There are a wide variety of libraries on the continent, ranging from historical and ancient establishments to contemporary national and university libraries. Each of these libraries has a distinct place in the intellectual and cultural heritage of the continent.
List Of Top 10 Biggest Libraries In Africa 2025
1. Library Of Alexandria
As a contemporary library and cultural center, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina can be found in Alexandria, which is located in Egypt. The ancient Library of Alexandria, which was one of the largest and most significant libraries in the ancient world before it was destroyed, was honored with the opening of this building in 2002 as a way to commemorate its existence. The design of the contemporary library is a remarkable piece of architecture that imitates the appearance of a massive sundial. It plays a significant role in the region as a center for research and cultural activities.
2. Saint Catherine’s Monastery Library, Egypt
The library at Saint Catherine’s Monastery, which is located in a secluded part of the Sinai Peninsula, is widely regarded as one of the oldest libraries in the Christian world that is still in operation. The Vatican Library is the only other institution that has a collection of more than 3,300 ancient manuscripts, making it the second largest collection of its kind in the world. In addition to being multilingual, the collection contains some of the most significant early Christian texts in the world. Furthermore, many of the books in the collection have retained their original Byzantine bindings.
3. Kenya National Library
KNLS, which stands for the Kenya National Library Service, is a corporation that is run by the government and was established in 1965. Nairobi is home to the Maktaba Kuu Building, which serves as the organization’s headquarters. In its capacity as Kenya’s national library, it holds the responsibility of acting as the repository for all publications in the country, thereby ensuring the preservation of the documentary heritage of the nation. A network of public and mobile libraries, in addition to digital resources, are made available to the general public by the KNLS in order to encourage literacy and provide access to information through education.
4. Balme Library, Ghana
The Balme Library is the primary library of the University of Ghana. It was named after David Mowbray Balme, who served as the first principal of the university. Within the University of Ghana Library System, it is the most extensive library, having been established in 1948. Furthermore, the library serves as a repository for publications from the United Nations in addition to housing a vast collection of resources. Dedicated facilities such as a Research Commons for faculty and graduate students, as well as a Digitization and IR Unit for the preservation of materials, are available to the institution.
5. Al-Qarawiyyin Library, Morroco
The library in Fez, Morocco, which is one of the oldest libraries in the world, was initially established as a part of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin. Under the leadership of Fatima Al-Fihri, it was established in the year 859 CE and currently houses a collection of more than 4,000 rare books and ancient Arabic manuscripts. One of its treasures is a Qur’an that dates back to the ninth century. For the purpose of safeguarding its priceless collection, the library has recently undergone a restoration project that has brought it up to modern standards by installing sophisticated climate control systems.
6. Misr University for Science and Technology Library, Egypt
The Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) Central Library in Egypt acts as a central knowledge hub for the academic community that is affiliated with the university. The website provides access to a vast assortment of resources, such as a general collection of books, a digital library, a digital archive and research repository, and another digital library. The mission of the library is to become the premier library for the community of 6th of October and to cater to the varied requirements of students and researchers.
7. National Library of South Africa
The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) is a statutory body that was established on November 1, 1999. Its primary responsibilities include the collection, preservation, and dissemination of the nation’s documentary heritage. Because it has branches in both Pretoria and Cape Town, it is an organization that plays a significant part in the socioeconomic, cultural, and educational development of the country. The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) is responsible for ensuring that all published materials pertaining to South Africa are preserved for future generations.
8. Port Elizabeth Main Library, South Africa
The building that houses the Port Elizabeth Main Library is a wonderful example of Victorian Gothic architecture. It was officially opened to the public in the year 1902. A historic monument designation was bestowed upon the structure in 1983, and it is situated in Market Square. An important fact about it is that it is the only historic building in South Africa that was initially constructed as a public library and continues to operate in that capacity. The library can trace its roots back to a modest reading society that was established in the year 1844.
9. Kenyatta University Library, Kenya
The Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library (JKML), which is located on the main campus and is a four-story building, is the primary library that is utilized by Kenyatta University. In addition to having a print collection of 145,000, it has a seating capacity of approximately 3,000. It also provides a vast collection of digital resources, which includes more than 170,000 electronic journals and 180,000 electronic books. The library is an important resource for both the teaching staff and the students of the university because it houses a number of different academic departments and central services.
10. Keren Public Library, State of Eritrea
For the purpose of expanding its collection and resources, the Keren Public Library in Eritrea has received support from international organizations. Through the generosity of organizations and educational institutions located in other countries, the library has been able to acquire books and other resources to better serve the community. Some of the items that have been donated include children’s reading materials, specialized scientific books, and computers. These donations have contributed to the improvement of literacy and access to information in the region.
