With the emergence of digital reading platforms, it has become easier to sell content online. In Egypt, a tech entrepreneur offers a similar solution to Arab authors. 

Kotobna is a digital platform developed by an Egyptian eponymous startup. It helps Arab authors publish their content online and get an audience. 

Apart from its web platform, the solution has a mobile application accessible on Android and iOS. Through the app, Internet users can access various books, including short stories- collections, poems comics, biographies, and specialized books.

With Kotobna, the Egyptian startup offers an alternative solution to authors who are unable to get their works published, and above all to new authors. 

Its pricing strategy depends on the popularity of the book. According to Egypt Innovate, the books are free for the first 25 readers and then, the startup starts charging “readers a small fee to benefit the writer.” 

It is really easy for authors to join the platform. They just need to register as a new user and click on the “Publish your book now” link on the homepage. Then, they will follow the required procedure. 

In August 2022, the platform’s founder, Mohammed Gamal, was selected as one of the 50 finalists for Africa's Business Heroes competition, which entitles finalists to a slice of a US$1.5 million prize fund. 

Adoni Conrad Quenum