The shutdown of OkadaBooks – once a beacon for Nigeria’s indie publishing scene – left many authors and readers shocked and disappointed.
For years, OkadaBooks gave writers a real shot at digital publishing and gave readers access to authentic local stories. But pioneering isn’t enough when the ecosystem isn’t built to protect, empower, and scale.
Many have since asked: What went wrong – and what can be done better?
At Knowvas, we’ve taken those hard lessons seriously. We’re not just building a publishing platform; we’re building an entire ecosystem designed for African authors and publishers – one that prioritises sustainability, empowerment, and future-readiness.
Here’s how Knowvas is building differently – and why it matters now more than ever.
- We Treat Piracy Like a Real Threat – Because It Is!
Across Africa, many authors resort to selling downloadable PDFs through various platforms or even WhatsApp. Sadly, once a file is out, it’s gone – resold, re-shared, and replicated without consent. Some have even found their books on eBay and Telegram with no revenue coming back to them.
Knowvas tackles this head-on with:
- Advanced anti-piracy protection: No downloads, just secure in-app or in-browser reading.
- Custom encryption per user session.
- Encrypted audio streaming for audiobooks.
Creators can finally publish with peace of mind.
- We Support All Types of Content – Not Just eBooks
African creators are diverse – and their platforms should be too.
Knowvas supports:
- eBooks (EPUB, PDF)
- Audiobooks (with indigenous language support)
- Magazines
- Textbooks
- Comics
- Newspapers
- Journals & Research Papers
- Interactive & Gamified Content (coming soon)
- Videos (coming soon)
Creators can publish what they want, in any format, for any audience – and get paid.
- Dual Monetization: Subscriptions + One-Time Sales
Most platforms force creators into one earning model. Knowvas doesn’t.
We combine two:
- Direct Purchases – Sell your content outright.
- Engagement-Based Subscriptions – Earn per complete read or listen, even when readers subscribe instead of buying (similar to Spotify for books).
This hybrid model ensures authors never lose out, no matter how readers choose to enjoy their content.
- Built-In AI Moderation & Reader Protection
Publishing freedom must come with responsibility.
That’s why Knowvas integrates AI-powered content moderation to keep creators compliant and readers safe:
- Text analysis detects profanity and internal plagiarism.
- Image analysis blocks offensive visuals.
- Audio analysis screens for unsuitable content.
- AI-powered Adult Content Filtering tailors access by age or preference — perfect for educators, parents, and schools.
- Local Pricing & Multi-Currency Support
Platforms like Kindle price in USD only, putting local readers at a disadvantage.
Knowvas fixes this with:
- Naira and other African currency support.
- Flexible pricing for African economies.
- Paystack integration for seamless local transactions.
This means more access for readers – and more sales for authors.
- Simplified Self-Publishing. No Gatekeepers!
Where other platforms make publishing feel like a maze, Knowvas makes it simple.
We provide:
- A clean, intuitive dashboard
- Support with formatting, cover design, and EPUB conversion
- One-click publishing from start to finish
Plus, Knowvas offers regular training sessions for authors, comic artists, and small publishers – helping them publish confidently, even without technical skills.
- Faster Approvals, Dedicated Pages & Better Visibility
Visibility remains one of the biggest challenges for African creators.
Knowvas solves this through:
- Approval within 12 hours
- Dedicated author/publisher pages you can share directly
- AI-powered discoverability that helps readers find your work
- Instant withdrawals – creators can cash out earnings anytime
“What I love most about Knowvas is how easy it is to publish,” says one early adopter. “The entire process – from uploading my manuscript to going live – was done in minutes. No stress, no long waits.”
- Built for Community. Built for Africa.
From day one, Knowvas has been about community-first publishing.
We’re already onboarding authors and publishers – and we officially launched on October 1, 2025.
Coming soon:
- Discussion forums and book clubs
- Indigenous audiobook voices
- Mobile offline reading
- Multi-language African support
- Interactive and gamified content
- AI tools for cover design, writing assistance, and more
Knowvas is here to grow with creators, not just profit from them.
Final Word
Knowvas is a movement – one that champions African stories, African languages, and African creators.
We’ve learned from those who came before and are building the platform that should have always existed – one that finally gives local creators the tools, visibility, and revenue they deserve.
Are you an author, comic artist, or publisher?
Get started today: https://publisher.knowvas.com
Or reach out at support@knowvas.com for guidance on turning your work into a global digital product.
And don’t forget to experience Knowvas at www.knowvas.com.
Knowvas is a product of Knowvas Technology Limited.
