Going Global: Diwan Bookstore (Egypt)

A study in South Africa showed that fewer than half of pupils had access to more than ten books at home. In 2010 a study by Egypt’s government found that, apart from school textbooks, 88% of Egyptian households read no books. Two aspiring sisters created a new bookstore concept in Egypt. What started out as a social purpose of increasing literacy and literary discussion became a successful business with private equity backing. We spoke to one of the sisters, the co-founder of Diwan Bookstore; Hind Wassef.