On Tuesday, October 8, UNESCO’s Director-General announced that Morocco’s capital, Rabat, has been named the World Book Capital for 2026. This decision follows the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will host the event in 2025. Rabat, home to Africa’s third-largest international book and publishing fair, will begin its year of festivities on April 23, 2026, coinciding with World Book and Copyright Day.
Rabat becomes the fifth African city to receive this title, following Alexandria (Egypt), Port Harcourt (Nigeria), Conakry (Guinea), and Accra (Ghana).
When chosen as a World Book Capital, a city organizes a year-long program to promote books and reading across all age groups. Rabat’s initiatives will aim to drive sustainable economic growth and social benefits by increasing access to books and supporting the local publishing sector.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised Rabat’s book industry for its role in democratizing knowledge. In 2024, Strasbourg, France, will be the World Book Capital.