Storymoja Publishers

What Storymoja Publishers does

Storymoja Publishers is a privately-held Kenyan book publisher headquartered in Nairobi (Njamba House, Shanzu Road off Lower Kabete Rd, Westlands), operating under proprietor Muthoni Garland. The company's product portfolio centers on the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) course books and teacher's guides spanning pre-primary (PP1, PP2) through Grade 10, alongside supplementary materials including KCSE Score More revision books, Pioneer Encyclopedia, Spark Composition Writing, and Cheche za Insha Kiswahili writing guides. The Redhot Africa sub-brand extends beyond curriculum into levelled African picture books, SUDEF wildlife detective stories, SHIZU historical fiction, and anthologies, while the Radius line offers educational stationery. Sales are channeled primarily through the company's owned e-commerce storefront (storymojaafrica.co.ke/estore), with KSh 290-KSh 2,450 book pricing and KSh 290-KSh 780 stationery pricing, supported by domestic courier delivery and DHL Express for international orders.

Revenue is generated via one-time retail sales of books and stationery, with M-Pesa, Visa, and Mastercard as checkout rails. Go-to-market is a hybrid: direct-to-consumer e-commerce combined with a community-led demand engine anchored by the annual Storymoja National Read Aloud campaign (229,043 children across 1,097 schools in 44 counties for the 2015 world record; 147,496+ participants across 836+ schools and 40+ counties in 2022), Reading Ambassador programs (2,337+ ambassadors cited), and an institutional partnership network spanning 25+ organizations including the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), Safaricom, Diamond Trust Bank, Jubilee Insurance, Worldreader, Goethe Institut, Litworld, Wildlife Direct, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Primary customer segments are Kenyan schools and educational institutions requiring CBC-aligned materials, children aged 0-14 and their parents purchasing levelled African books, and literacy NGOs supporting community reading initiatives. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: an owned web storefront, payment integrations, Google Analytics for traffic analytics, and no disclosed proprietary technology, data platform, or AI capabilities.

Name

Storymoja Publishers

Legal name

Storymoja Publishers

Website

https://storymojaafrica.co.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Storymoja Publishers is a privately-held Kenyan book publisher producing Competency Based Curriculum course books, African-themed children's literature, and educational stationery for Kenyan schools, parents, and children aged 0-14, sold via a direct e-commerce storefront and supported by community literacy campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational and Children's Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313), Book Publishers (513130), Other Publishers (51319)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Educational & Curriculum Publishing (MPAJAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum) (MPAJABAA), Children’s Activity & Workbook Publishing (MPAJAFAG), Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO), Core Subject Textbooks (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) (EDAGAAAA)

Keywords

• Children's book publishing
• Educational publishing
• Curriculum books
• African literature
• School stationery

Headquarters

HQ city

Westlands

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Revenue generated from selling published books through the e-commerce storefront, including curriculum-based course books aligned with Kenya's Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), supplementary materials, and general reading books for children.
2. Stationery Sales: Sale of educational stationery products including Radius brand geometrical sets, pens, pencils, markers, and other school supplies under the Radius brand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Storymoja Publishers is a Kenyan book publisher that produces and sells Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) aligned course books and teacher's guides from pre-primary (PP1, PP2) through Grade 10, supplementary materials (KCSE Score More revision books, Pioneer Encyclopedia, Spark Composition Writing, Cheche za Insha Kiswahili guides, Careerpedia), African children's literature under the Redhot Africa sub-brand, and Radius branded educational stationery. Products are sold primarily through the company's own e-commerce storefront with domestic courier and international DHL shipping, and distributed via school partnerships and community literacy programs.

Product overview

Storymoja Publishers is a Kenyan book publisher offering a diverse educational publishing portfolio centered on the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). The core product line consists of CBC Course Books and Teacher's Guides spanning pre-primary (PP1, PP2) through Grade 10, supplemented by a comprehensive Supplementary Materials range including KCSE Score More revision books, Pioneer Encyclopedia series, Spark Composition Writing guides, and Cheche za Insha Kiswahili writing resources. The company also operates the Redhot Africa sub-brand featuring levelled African picture books, SUDEF wildlife detective stories, SHIZU historical fiction series, and Redhot Anthologies. Additionally, the Radius Stationery line provides educational stationery products. The Storymoja E-Store serves as the online sales platform. The company also runs literacy initiatives including the Storymoja National Read Aloud campaign and the Wild Legacy Campaign.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Redhot Africa: African wildlife and conservation-themed children's book imprint featuring picture books, wildlife detective series (SUDEF), historical fiction (SHIZU), and anthologies
• Radius
• CBC Rationalized Course Books
• Pioneer
• Smart Beginners
• Spark
• KCSE Score More

Products and services

• CBC Course Books Curriculum-aligned textbooks for Kenyan primary and secondary schools under the Competency Based Curriculum, covering PP1-PP2 and Grades 1-10 across core subjects.
• Teachers Guide Companion teacher's guides for CBC course books across subjects and grade levels, designed to support classroom instruction for educators in Kenyan schools.
• Supplementary Materials Supporting educational resources for Kenyan students including KCSE Score More revision books, Pioneer Encyclopedia (Grades 6-9), Spark Composition Writing series, Cheche za Insha Kiswahili guides, and Smart Beginners Encyclopedia for pre-primary through Grade 6.
• Careerpedia Career guidance and exploration resources aimed at Kenyan students making subject and career choices.
• Redhot Africa Storymoja's African children's literature imprint featuring African-themed picture books, wildlife detective stories, African historical fiction, and short-story anthologies.
• Redhot Picture Books Levelled African picture books for children featuring titles like The Boy and the Lion, the Koko Riko series, and other African-themed picture stories.
• SUDEF (Wildlife Detectives) Wildlife-themed detective stories for children focused on African conservation and endangered species such as turtles, pangolins, panthers, and giraffes.
• SHIZU Historical Fiction African historical fiction series featuring time-travel narratives set in African kingdoms, with titles such as Princess Njinga, Queen Mkabayi Zulu, Chief Odera, and Calamity of the Kasigau.
• Redhot Anthologies Anthology collections of African short stories addressing social and political themes, including A Fire Within and Other Stories, Deception and other stories, and Zero Tolerance and other stories.
• Radius Stationery Educational stationery line under the Radius brand covering geometrical sets, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, erasers, rulers, sharpeners, and modelling clay sold to schools, parents, and children.
• KCSE Score More Revision Books Secondary school revision books covering the KCSE national examination syllabus across English, Kiswahili, Sciences, Humanities, and Home Science for Forms 1-4.
• Pioneer Encyclopedia & Revision Books Junior school (Grades 6-9) encyclopedia and revision resources aligned with the KNEC Competency-Based Assessment Framework, covering all subjects with summary notes, practice assessments, and model assessments.
• Spark Composition Writing Series CBC-aligned English composition writing guides for Grades 3-9 with step-by-step writing guides, themed composition samples, vocabulary building activities, and student publishing opportunities.
• Cheche za Insha Series Kiswahili composition writing guides aligned with the CBC for Grades 3-9, supporting learners in developing written Kiswahili skills.
• Storymoja E-Store Direct online e-commerce storefront for purchasing Storymoja's books and stationery, with integrated M-Pesa, Visa, and Mastercard checkout and DHL international shipping.

Quantifiable outcome

• World record achievement with 229,043 children reading simultaneously in 2015
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SafaricomcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting the Storymoja National Read Aloud campaign and literacy initiatives
• Diamond Trust Bank of Kenya LimitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for literacy and educational initiatives
• Jubilee Insurance Company LimitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting educational programs and community initiatives
• WorldreadercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal nonprofit focused on digital reading, partnering for literacy programs and book distribution
• Goethe Institut KeniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman cultural institute supporting African literature and reading promotion programs
• LitworldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal nonprofit dedicated to building literacy skills through story and connection
• The Writers GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional writers organization supporting African authorship and publishing
• Ministry of Sports, Culture and HeritageflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry supporting national literacy campaigns and Read Aloud initiatives
• Kenya National Library Service (KNLS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment library service distributing books to communities across Kenya
• Akili DadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership incubator supporting African women and girls through education
• Global GLOWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Girls' Leadership initiative supporting education programs
• St. Andrew's International School TuriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational school participating in Read Aloud campaigns
• Kenya ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting schools through technology for collaborative learning
• Modeern Lithographic Kenya LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrinting and production partner for book manufacturing
• Ramco-PrintingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrinting services partner for book production
• Lewa Wildlife ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partnered for wildlife-themed children's books
• Human Practice FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting education and community development programs
• All for BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBook donation and literacy support initiative
• KANKO CBOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization for development initiatives
• Lulu FMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity radio station for media outreach
• Radio Nam LolweminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity radio station for regional outreach
• Elimu FankaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts and education collective supporting creative learning
• Rift Valley Reading AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional literacy organization supporting reading programs
• Wildlife DirectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife conservation organization for wildlife-themed publications including My Amazing Rhino Book

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jomo Kenyatta Foundation: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation publishes K-12 textbooks and supplementary materials widely adopted in Kenyan schools, competing directly with Storymoja's CBC-aligned course books and revision resources.
• Longhorn Publishers: Longhorn is a leading Kenyan K-12 textbook and supplementary materials publisher covering primary through secondary curricula, directly competing with Storymoja's CBC course books and revision titles in the Kenyan school market.
• Moran Publishers (East African Educational Publishers, EAEP): Moran/EAEP is one of Kenya's largest publishers of K-12 textbooks and supplementary materials, competing head-to-head with Storymoja across CBC course books, revision guides, and teacher's guides in the Kenyan curriculum market.
• Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB): KLB is a state-owned Kenyan publisher producing textbooks and supplementary materials for primary and secondary schools, directly comparable to Storymoja's curriculum-aligned product lines and school channel distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson Education: Pearson is a global education publisher with significant African curriculum and assessment offerings; it competes with Storymoja in K-12 learning materials but at much larger scale and across multiple geographies.
• Oxford University Press (Kenya / Africa): OUP operates a major Kenya and Africa education division publishing K-12 textbooks, dictionaries, and supplementary materials. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping curriculum coverage and stronger international distribution than Storymoja.

Emerging players

• Cassava Republic Press: Cassava Republic is a Nigerian-rooted, pan-African publisher of contemporary African fiction and children's books with a similar mission of elevating African stories, partially overlapping with Storymoja's Redhot Africa sub-brand.
• Jacaranda Books: Jacaranda is an independent UK publisher focused on diverse voices and African diaspora storytelling, including children's titles; it shares Storymoja's emphasis on African-authored content but is earlier-stage and UK-based.

Regional players

• Sub-Saharan Publishers: Sub-Saharan Publishers is a Ghana-based children's and educational book publisher producing African-language and culturally relevant titles — a strong regional parallel to Storymoja's African-focused children's catalog, but operating in West Africa.
• Kwani?: Kwani? is a Kenyan literary publisher of contemporary African writing and a comparable peer in the East African cultural publishing space, though it focuses more on adult literary titles than children's curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/storymoja
• Facebookfacebook.com/Storymojaafrica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/storymoja-africa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Storymoja Publishers