Marketsquare Africa featured training for both booksellers and publishers provided by local and international experts.

ChristianTrade president Jim Powell remarked that he is thrilled with the international suppliers who support reaching developing nations by participating in events like Marketsquare Africa. "We hope to hold conventions like this in Africa on a regular basis to sell products and rights, and to encourage and stimulate the Christian trade."

Ghanaian Publishers Want More Christian Product

On Friday and Saturday 9-10 in Accra, Ghana, the convention was organized by ChristianTrade Association International together with Challenge Enterprises and the Ghana Book Publishers Association.

"We hope for lasting impact," says Ben Boateng of Challenge Enterprises in Accra, Ghana. "Marketsquare Africa - Ghana 2010 was generally a success. Feedback is very positive and encouraging."

Amoh Emmanuel, managing director of the Presbyterian Book Depot in Accra, Ghana, agrees. ""Marketsquare Africa caused me to determine to change our strategy in relation to our customers. We have not been sensitive enough to their needs.  Instead, we have published and stocked in our store books and other products that are not moving fast enough. I am grateful for the challenge I received here to change with our market in Ghana." 

"Ten years ago," says Boateng, there were only about four, or maybe six, Christian retail outlets in Accra. Now there are 40 to 50, a dramatic increase." He anticipates the growth of Christian trade distribution points to continue, growing at least 15% in the next 10 years, with sales increasing by an average of 20% per year.  

Nigerian Suppliers Challenged to Present Christ

On April 12 and 13 in Lagos, 118 Nigerian Christian publishers, distributors and retailers from 79 companies met with foreign suppliers as part of Marketsquare Africa 2010.

"It was standing-room only," says Modupe Ehirim, president of CBA Nigeria and the committee that organized Marketsquare Africa in Lagos. "We thought we were being optimistic, but the attendance far surpassed our expectations."

Interest in the event underscores the growth projected for the Christian trade in this market where the church is growing at an explosive rate. "We have had an economic downturn," says Ehirim, "but even so, our market has not been saturated. We have not made a dent yet. There is are a great need for more Christian books and materials for our shops."

Attendees and visitors were challenged with the Word. "You are the salt of the earth," said Rev. Dr. Fred B. Odutola, general secretary and chief executive officer of the Bible Society of Nigeria, speaking at the 12 April Marketsquare Africa banquet. "What changes have the Christian resources we distribute made in our own lives as distributors? What we distribute should have a positive effect in our lives before we can prayerfully and successfully recommend the same to others," he added. "That is how we should present Christ."

ChristianTrade chairman Sylvester Ejeh of Edysyl Christian Bookshops Limited affirmed, "We see this as an opportunity to strengthen ties between Nigerian and international suppliers for the benefit of God's kingdom worldwide and our common call to fulfill the Great Commission."

 "The Sky is Not the Limit" for Christian Products in Kenya

At Marketsquare Africa 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, 40 Christian publishers, distributors and retailers met with 14 exhibitors representing 20 Christian suppliers, including B&H Publishing, Moody, Strang, Thomas Nelson, and Tyndale. The Nairobi event was  organized with ChristianTrade Kenya.

Exhibitors began by visiting the offices of local bookstores and publishers, including Uzima, Wakestar, Keswick, CLC, New Day, Scripture Union and Biblica. There, they learned that in this country of 30 million people, 80% profess to be Christian. Approximately 80% of the Christian books distributed in the country are imported; the remaining 20% are locally-published books by Kenyan authors or licensed titles.

"The sky's the limit when it comes to the future of the industry in Kenya," says Margareta Hakanson of Keswick Books and Gifts, Nairobi's largest Christian bookstore.  There has been an enormous improvement in locally-published books; they are indistinguishable from foreign ones."

"I am excited about having Marketsquare Africa here," says Hakanson, affirming the value of the bookseller and publisher training offered by ChristianTrade. "There is so much we are not doing!"

Jackie Ojiambo, owner of Wells Books and Gifts and president of ChristianTrade Kenya, expects the event to grow in coming years, as does Barine Kirimi of Evangel Publishing, her predecessor. "We are in a challenging industry," affirmed Kirimi, "but there is lots of opportunity in Kenya. The bigger we grow, the better it is. The limit is not the sky. It isn't heaven either," he added. "The limit is much more than we can imagine!"