Karanta was founded by two Nigerian mothers, lifelong writers and readers, who welcomed their children in 2024. As new parents, we made a conscious decision to give our children a screen-free start, guided by global health advice and a deep belief in the quiet power of books. Around us, we saw toddlers drawn into fast, dopamine-driven content, while the slow magic of storytelling, imagination, and play began to fade.

At the same time, we witnessed a wider challenge: reading culture is shrinking, and access to books remains deeply unequal. While children in some parts of the world can borrow dozens of books each week, many African children have little to no access at all. We believe stories should never be a privilege.

Karanta — from the Hausa word meaning “to read” — was created to change this. It is a calm digital library and learning hub for African children aged 3–12, designed to turn screen time into productive, meaningful time through stories, read-alouds, reflective quizzes, and creative prompts. Karanta is our way of reimagining how children read, learn, and grow in a digital world.