5-Part Interview Series with Digital Book Platforms Founders in Africa.
We are pleased to introduce our five-part “Conversation Series” with African digital founders innovating in publishing. These innovators are enhancing access to books on digital platforms and helping publishers reach a wider audience. The market size of e-publishing in Africa is projected to reach US$1,250 million by the end of 2024 (Statista). Each segment will cover their platforms, contributions to the literary landscape, support for brick-and-mortar publishers, and opportunities for emerging authors.
Our fifth conversation is with Martins Fidelis of Qataloog, Qataloog is a digital platform that helps student to access and share curriculum-aligned content, engage and track learning outcomes.
What unique features or aspects set your digital book space apart from other platforms in the literary world?
Qataloog distinguishes itself through curriculum-aligned content, language accessibility with local language support, AI-powered search functionality, and a comprehensive ecosystem serving K-12 students, publishers, TVET institutions, teachers, and educational institutions. Our motto ‘The smart way to learn with no barriers’ reflects our commitment to accessible education.
Could you share how your platform collaborates with publishers, and what advantages publishers gain from working with you?
We offer publishers global visibility, fair compensation through our transparent royalty management system, robust copyright protection measures, and valuable data insights about content performance. Our platform supports multiple formats including e-textbooks, audiobooks, papers, magazines, and journals.
When curating content for your platform, what factors guide your selection process?
Our content curation focuses on curriculum alignment, quality and accuracy through rigorous verification, diversity in perspectives, user demand responsiveness, and localization potential. We particularly value content that can leverage our interactive features for engaged learning.
Maintaining content quality is crucial. How do you verify the authenticity and quality of the books featured on your platform?
We employ a multi-layered approach including review by subject matter experts, careful vetting of publishing partners, user feedback systems, learning analytics, and regular content audits to maintain high standards.
Could you elaborate on the support services or tools you offer to authors and publishers within your ecosystem?
We provide a Digital Content Board for content management, a comprehensive Analytics Dashboard, an In-App Reader with testing capabilities, collaboration tools, marketing support through our platforms, and dedicated technical support.
In terms of author development, how do you assist writers in growing their readership and establishing their brand?
We support authors through platform visibility, detailed analytics, interactive features for engagement, community features for reader interaction, educational resources on digital publishing, and facilitating connections with educational institutions.
Can you tell us about any specific publishing services or collaborative opportunities you extend to authors?
Our services include self-publishing tools, collaborative writing features, institutional partnerships, localization support, multimedia integration capabilities, and professional development through workshops and webinars.
Ensuring fair treatment for authors and publishers is crucial. How do you safeguard their rights and manage royalties?
We implement robust DRM, transparent royalty tracking, clear contracts, timely payments, strong copyright protection through our terms of service, and active anti-piracy measures.
Could you outline the various revenue models your platform employs, such as commissions or subscription-based models?
Our primary model is subscription-based, providing users regular access to our content library through periodic fees.
When it comes to revenue sharing, how do you allocate earnings between publishers and authors?
We respect existing publisher-author agreements and typically offer self-published authors 70-80% of earnings. Our system calculates earnings based on actual usage metrics and provides transparent reporting through user dashboards.
From your perspective, how does your platform contribute to the evolution of African literature and its impact?
As a Nigeria-based platform, we advance African literature through local language support, global exposure for African voices, curriculum alignment with African institutions, digital accessibility, data insights for stakeholders, and author development programs. We serve as a bridge for cultural exchange and global recognition of African literature.
