A sharp decline in the number of book readers in Addis Ababa has forced numerous book vendors and distributors out of the market, a recent field survey by Fidel Post revealed. Hardest hit is the historic Arat Kilo neighborhood, a traditional hub for literature, where traders report that the number of active distributors has plummeted from hundreds a few years ago to fewer than 30 today.
The primary catalyst for this market collapse is the skyrocketing cost of paper, which has inflated printing expenses and drastically reduced the influx of new titles. Additionally, the widespread influence of social media has shifted public attention toward short-form digital content, eroding traditional reading habits. Severe economic pressures and the rising cost of living have also forced consumers to prioritize basic necessities over buying books.