The Agati Library
Graduated VP Grantee

The Agati Library, one of the first Venture Philanthropy grantees of the New Africa Fund, is a network of community libraries across Rwanda. Founded in 2018 by six young students inspired by their own experiences growing up in Musanze, Agati is committed to providing access to child-friendly books and learning spaces, with the aim of fostering curiosity, creativity, and a culture of lifelong learning.

 

Agati began as a single free, stationary library serving all children in the Musanze District. Since becoming a NAF grantee in 2022, it has expanded from one to eight library spaces. These include the original free library in Musanze, a community library in Karongi District, four hospital libraries for children across the country, and two school libraries in Musanze. In 2024 alone, the hospital libraries received a combined total of 11,630 visits.

 

That same year, Agati relocated its main library in Musanze to a larger facility and expanded its collection to include books and study materials for teens and adults. The new space also hosts educational and cultural activities, such as after-school book readings for children, animated children’s book events, and book cafés featuring local authors.

 

Since its founding, Agati’s collection has grown from 200 books to several thousand, in English, French, and Kinyarwanda. The library actively engages parents and caregivers through community outreach programs like book cafes, writers residencies, children's book animation sessions, and the Mobile Library project, which brings books and activities to remote communities.