It all started with a simple but worrying observation: in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as in many African countries, talented young authors struggled to find a publishing house willing to take them on at their own expense. Many manuscripts remained in drawers, for lack of opportunities, resources, or simply people willing to believe in their potential.

After several years spent at the heart of the publishing world, a conviction became clear: African writers deserved more spaces to be read, heard, and supported. It was from this conviction that Les Éditions Mikanda was born in 2022.

From the outset, our ambition was clear: to build a general literature publishing house that places the author at the heart of its editorial project. A house that publishes exclusively on a per-publisher basis, without imposing any fees on writers, and that focuses above all on the quality of the texts and the potential of the voices it supports.

But publishing books wasn't enough. New talent also needed to be discovered. This led to the creation of the Youve Prize, an international literary competition designed to uncover the promising writers of tomorrow. In just two editions, the prize has helped launch and publish several authors from Africa and Europe, confirming Éditions Mikanda's commitment to fostering dialogue between creative minds across borders.

Over the years, our catalogue has grown. Today, it includes more than thirty works and highlights a new generation of African writers, the majority of whom are under thirty. These authors tell the stories of their time, question their society, and contribute to the renewal of contemporary African literature.

Very quickly, another obvious truth emerged: an author doesn't emerge from obscurity simply by publishing their book. It's also essential to create opportunities for encounters between works, readers, and writers. It was in this spirit that the Mikanda Publishing House's Literary Season (RLEM) was launched, an event dedicated to promoting Congolese literature. Initially conceived as a showcase for authors in our catalog, the event has gradually opened its doors to writers published by other publishing houses, becoming a true space for dialogue and celebration of books.

Today, Mikanda Publishing is recognized as a major player in the Congolese literary scene. This recognition has been built on the trust of our authors, readers, and partners. It has also led us to represent Congolese literature on prestigious international stages, notably at the Publishers Conference of the Sharjah International Book Fair in the United Arab Emirates and the Paris African Book Fair.

At the same time, we actively participate in major book events in the DRC, notably the Kinshasa Book Festival and the Wallonia-Brussels Grand Literary Season in Kinshasa, convinced that the future of African books is built as much in bookstores as in spaces for meeting and sharing.

The story of Éditions Mikanda is above all a story of conviction: talent exists everywhere. It simply needs to be discovered, nurtured, and brought to its readers. Since our inception, we have worked every day to ensure that more African voices find their place in the grand narrative of contemporary literature.