ABSTRACT The industrialized world is creating virtual libraries because of the high value placed on the availability of information. While the socio-technical conditions to sustain virtual libraries do not exist in most African countries, the virtual library offers great promise as a way to develop an African information resource base. The infrastructure needed for the virtual library varies from country to country. Networks already exist in parts of Africa, but access to the Internet is limited. Ways must be found to solve the technical, administrative, and political problems before the virtual library becomes an African reality.