In a remarkable achievement, five African authors have been shortlisted for the inaugural Canex Publishing Prize, a prestigious award that celebrates exceptional works in the African book industry.
The announcement, made on September 25, 2024, showcases the talent and diversity of the continent’s literary landscape.
The Canex Publishing Prize, in partnership with Narrative Landscape Press and The James and Grace Adichie Foundation, aims to spotlight and elevate the African book value chain through a year-long program of interventions.
The shortlist was selected from a highly competitive pool of 85 applications from 45 publishers across 10 African countries.
Shortlisted Authors and Their Works
The five finalists, representing various publishers and countries, are:
1. Pumla Dineo Gqola (Cassava Republic Press, Nigeria) for her book “Female Fear Factory: Unravelling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence”
2. Buntu Siwisa (Jacana Media, South Africa) for “Paperless”
3. Ugo Anidi (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria) for “Half Hour Hara”
4. Fatou Sy (La Case des Lucioles, Côte d’Ivoire) for “Reine Or”
5. Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Masobe Books, Nigeria) for “When We Were Fireflies”
In his comments, Dr. Wale Okediran, Chair of the Judges, praised the shortlisted candidates, stating, “In line with our mandate to ‘judge the book as a physical object while also paying attention to its editorial work, including topical relevance and editorial risk,’ we have been able to produce a shortlist of five books which we believe have met the required standard of exceptional work and professionalism.”
Prize and Recognition
The publisher of the Best Trade Book will receive a cash prize of US$20,000 during the CANEX WKND 2024, while each of the four finalists will receive US$2,000.
The ultimate goal of the Canex Publishing Prize is to create a vibrant and educated class of creatives and entrepreneurs who can benefit from the financial support offered by Afreximbank in fulfillment of its mandate to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade.
Celebrating African Literature
The Canex Publishing Prize serves as a testament to the growing recognition and appreciation of African literature on the global stage.
By highlighting the works of these talented authors, the award aims to foster a sense of pride and unity among African readers and writers, while also introducing these exceptional works to a wider international audience.
The CANEX WKND 2024, where the winner will be announced, is scheduled to take place from October 16 to 19 in Algiers, Algeria. Registration for the event is free and open on the Canex Africa X (Twitter) Page.
As the African literary landscape continues to flourish, the Canex Publishing Prize stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring authors across the continent.
The shortlisted authors have not only made their nations proud but have also contributed to the rich tapestry of African storytelling that resonates with readers worldwide.
