Here are the amazing storytellers who have made it to the very first Happy Noisemaker Prize for Storytelling shortlist:
Edeh Nneoma - The Matriarchy
Ipinmoye Jesutomisin - Solitude
Iruobe Michelle - Good Fortune
Onadeko Akinwade - As the lights disappeared from your eyes
Yaqub Olayinka - The Grand Funeral of Baba Alamu
CONGRATULATIONS!
Africa has always had a long, rich storytelling history. Our stories have been passed down through generations, spread across the world, and given us a voice on the global stage.
We are a launchpad to amplify bright new voices, who find new ways to make sense of uniquely African realities, while contributing to the diversification of African stories globally. Our mission is simple; to encourage undiscovered African writers by amplifying and rewarding their amazing work.
All kinds of stories!
This year there is no theme, so let your imagination run free!
You must be a citizen of an african country
You must be 18 and over
The story must be original and belong to you!
Each story must be 2500 words (with an allowance of 10% over and under)
To be eligible for the Busha Category prize:
- Sign up on Busha
-Use the referral code 'BushaXHNM'
- Must be from Nigeria or Kenya
-Write a compelling story of not more than 1500 words that delves into this unique encounter with yourself:
"You’re sitting with your teenage self and have financial knowledge that can change your life forever. However, you have to convince yourself to accept all your financial advice without divulging that you’re you from the future."
Wale Lawal is an LSE, Oxford and Harvard trained researcher and the founder of The Republic, a startup building digital tools and infrastructure to support Africa-focused media.
He is also the editor-in-chief of The Republic’s award-winning magazine covering news, debates and ideas on politics, culture, science and more from a Nigerian lens. In 2022, The Republic became the first Nigerian magazine to win the Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge.
Previously, Wale led research at Harvard Business School’s Africa Research Center, producing research on companies and business environments across sub-Saharan Africa as well as case studies taught in HBS as well as business schools around the world.
Wale is also an ex-KPMG management consultant and a graduate from the University of Oxford, where his research focused on the politics of tech startups in Nigeria, graduating top of his class. In 2019, Wale was selected by Quartz as one of Africa’s top 30 innovators. In 2021, he was selected by Reuters as a global thought leader and by Forbes as one of Africa’s 30 Under 30. Wale has published short fiction and has exhibited artwork at several venues including the Venice Biennale.
Wale has also written the Future Yoruba exhibit for the forthcoming John Randle Center for Yoruba Culture and History.