Our Work in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, The Library Project provides free Literacy Programs and Book Donations to rural elementary and high schools. These programs support children and youth living in rural communities by expanding access to books, strengthening reading opportunities, and helping students build the literacy skills they need to continue learning.

Our Book Donations support both school libraries and classroom libraries, helping schools provide students with age-appropriate reading materials in accessible learning spaces. These donations help create more opportunities for students to read independently, explore new ideas, and develop stronger reading habits.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Ethiopia. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Ethiopia

Ethiopia faces a significant literacy and learning challenge. According to the World Bank and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 90 percent of children in Ethiopia at late primary age are not proficient in reading, after adjusting for children who are out of school. The same brief reports that 89 percent of students do not reach minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school, and 15 percent of primary school-aged children are not enrolled in school.

UNICEF Ethiopia reports that while the country has made progress toward universal primary education, many children do not continue through the education system, with only 33.1 percent making it to secondary school. UNICEF also reports that the likelihood of children going to school, staying in school, and performing well is significantly lower in rural settings.

Reading is the foundation for learning across all subjects. When students struggle to read, they are more likely to fall behind, lose confidence, and face greater barriers to continuing their education. In Ethiopia, this makes access to books, literacy programs, and locally led education support especially important.

The Library Project’s work in Ethiopia responds to this need by supporting rural schools with free Literacy Programs and Book Donations, while also strengthening local literacy nonprofit organizations through Capacity Building. Together, these efforts help create more reading opportunities for students and support long-term, community-led literacy impact.