NABU - Reading & learning app

NABU, the premier app for children that focuses on their native language, introduces your child to the joys of reading.

It offers a diverse collection of free storybooks that are culturally appropriate and designed specifically for young readers. With over 28 languages available, personalized book recommendations, engaging quizzes, and a cheerful mascot to accompany them, children can explore, learn, and flourish. NABU provides various resources for bilingual education and assessments aligned with grade levels, giving kids the tools they need to thrive while nurturing their enthusiasm and curiosity. This is perfect for parents, educators, and aspiring learners alike. Join us in our effort to combat illiteracy and help every child reach their full potential.

NABU x BAL Brings the Magic of Storytelling to Rulindo District, Rwanda

On June 27, 2025, the Isooko Community Center in Rwanda’s Rulindo District came alive with laughter, imagination, and the joy of reading. Over 150 children gathered to take part in a special read-aloud session hosted by NABU in partnership with the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The occasion marked another exciting stop in the cross-continental rollout of The Big and Magical Basketball Games - a vibrant children’s book co-created by NABU and BAL to celebrate African pride, youth empowerment, and the boundless magic of storytelling.

A Shared Mission of Literacy and Inclusion

This partnership between NABU and BAL was born from a shared belief: that every child deserves access to books that reflect who they are and who they can become. Together, we developed The Big and Magical Basketball Games - a story that fuses fantasy and sport, teamwork and courage, with characters that young African readers can see themselves in.

The journey began in Senegal with a launch at Dakar Arena and the Empire des Enfants orphanage, where children were introduced to the story in French and Wolof. From there, the campaign moved to Kigali for a special multilingual read-aloud on Africa Day, and then to Johannesburg, South Africa, where local champions brought the story to life. And now, in Rwanda, the magic continues.

📍 Read about the kickoff in Dakar and the Final wrap-up at Johannesburg, South Africa.

What Makes The Big and Magical Basketball Games So Special?

This Pan-African fantasy adventure follows Mwangi - a young star known as "Magic" — and his all-star teammates from Morocco, Senegal, Rwanda, and South Africa. Together, they set off on a mission to recover the stolen BAL Cup. Guided by Leo, BAL’s lovable lion mascot, the team journeys through enchanted landscapes, overcoming mythical obstacles through teamwork, courage, and heart.

The story was written to be inclusive, joyful, and immersive — with editions in English, French, Wolof, Kinyarwanda, and isiZulu. It’s more than a book; it’s a cultural celebration and a tool for building literacy in the languages children speak at home.

Book Donation at Isooko Community Center

At the Rulindo event, the story was brought to life by NABU local facilitators, who led an engaging read-aloud and facilitated interactive discussions. Children shared their thoughts, imagined new storylines, and connected the characters' journeys to their own dreams.

Caregivers and community leaders were moved by the children’s enthusiasm, noting how the story sparked curiosity and pride. At the end of the session, dozens of copies of The Big and Magical Basketball Games were donated to the Isooko Community Library — ensuring children could revisit the story long after the event ended.

Why This Collaboration Matters

The NABU x BAL partnership is a powerful example of how creative collaboration can unlock new possibilities for learning. By tapping into the excitement of basketball — a sport beloved across Africa — the story inspires children to read, imagine, and explore. And by delivering the book in local languages, NABU ensures no child is left behind.

As NABU Rwanda Country Manager Philippe Nkwakuzi shared, “Sports can be a powerful gateway to literacy. When children connect emotionally with a story, learning becomes joyful.”

Expanding the Magic Across Rwanda

This activation in Rulindo is part of a national campaign. More events are planned across Rwanda, where NABU and its partners will host community storytimes, distribute books, and train local reading ambassadors. Each activity supports our mission to make reading accessible, engaging, and empowering.

NABU was also recently featured on Rwanda Television’s RBA Iwacu, sharing practical tips for parents and caregivers to keep kids reading over the school break. The episode highlighted how families can access NABU’s free mobile app and Web Reader — home to hundreds of culturally relevant books in local languages.

▶️ Watch the rebroadcast on Rwanda TV’s YouTube channel (coming soon)

Start Your Reading Journey

Ready to dive into the story? Here's how you can access The Big and Magical Basketball Games and other NABU books:

Download the NABU App on the App Store or Google Play

Read free stories in over 40 languages at read.nabu.org

Watch our read-alouds on YouTube: Read With NABU

Two Years of Impact: How NABU is Transforming Literacy in Nigeria

In 2023, NABU Nigeria was launched through a partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo , the CAFF Foundation , and Whatsapp , grounded in a shared belief that when children learn to read in their mother tongue, they don’t just build literacy skills, they build confidence and belonging.

Together, we worked with more than 30 local authors, illustrators, and translators to create 40 original children’s books in Igbo. Ensuring children could see their cultures, communities, and lived experiences reflected in the stories they read.

In July 2024, HP joined this effort as a strategic partner, supporting a national launch event at Alliance Française, Lagos, and enabling the expansion of our Nigerian collection to include 40 new titles in Yoruba and Hausa, bringing stories to even more Nigerian children in the languages they speak at home.

Building a Library That Reflects Home

We began with 40 original children’s books in Igbo - stories rooted in culture, community, and lived experience. For many children, it was the first time they encountered a book written in the language spoken at home.

As NABU Nigeria expanded, so did our linguistic reach. With support from HP, we introduced Hausa and Yoruba, growing our Nigerian collection across three of the country’s most widely spoken languages.

This expansion was more than numerical growth. It was about dignity. When children read in a familiar language, comprehension strengthens, confidence rises, and curiosity expands.

Two Years by the Numbers

Since launch, the impact has been measurable and meaningful:

162,000+ readers across the NABU Mobile App and Web Reader22,300+ stories downloaded for offline access

1,529 Creatives trained

3,982 Teachers Trained

40 Books Created

134k Number of Completed Books

108 Hours of Community Read Aloud Sessions

10+ community partners

Books available in Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba

These numbers represent more than downloads. They represent moments of connection between children and caregivers, classrooms filled with engaged readers, and communities reclaiming the power of language.

Why Mother Tongue Literacy Matters

Research consistently shows that children learn best in the language they understand first. Yet millions of Nigerian children begin school in a language unfamiliar to them, creating barriers before learning even begins.

Mother tongue access is not a cultural luxury, it is a foundational literacy strategy.

By continuing to expand our Nigerian library, we are not only teaching children to read. We are affirming that their voices, heritage, and stories matter.

And we are just getting started.

The Next Chapter

As we celebrate International Mother Language Day, we recommit to:

Expanding local language publishing

Increasing offline access in underserved communities

Supporting caregivers as first literacy champions

Because literacy is the ultimate equalizer and every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Want To Get Involved?

Start Reading Today Access NABU’s free children’s books in local languages through our mobile app and web reader. Visit the NABU Web Reader

Support Our Mission Your support helps us publish more stories and reach more children. Donate here

Interested in Partnership? Collaborate with us to expand access to local language books. Contact us