African nations face rising school supply and tuition costs

school supplies costs education inflation bookstore margins back-to-school expenses African education costs

Parents and educators across several African nations are facing rising costs for school supplies and tuition as the new academic year begins. In Morocco, the Ligue des libraires du Maroc has raised concerns regarding reduced commercial margins for retailers, which have dropped from 20%–25% to between 10% and 15%. This shift, combined with supply shortages for certain primary school titles, threatens the viability of local bookstores and risks encouraging speculation or unauthorized pricing.

In Cameroon, consumer advocates report that education costs are becoming increasingly inaccessible. While official statistics suggest lower average annual expenditures, local associations highlight that private school fees can reach up to 300,000 CFA francs, and corruption often complicates access to public institutions. High import volumes of stationery and rising transport and raw material costs are driving inflation across the continent.

Similar financial pressures are being reported in Madagascar and Guinea, where the availability and cost of required curriculum books remain significant hurdles for families.