Welcome to the home of exciting, new storytellers!
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.
What kind of stories are we looking for?
All kinds of stories!
This year there is no theme, so let your imagination run free!
POWERED BY
RULES
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)
PRIZES
SPECIAL CATEGORY
THIS IS A SPECIAL CATEGORY SPONSORED BY OUR PARTNERS - BUSHA
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."
MEET THE JUDGES
- Click to read the impressive bios of our judges
His work has been published in Art Forum, National Geographic, New York Times, Financial Times, The Continent, THISDAY Nigeria, Mail & Guardian South Africa, amongst others. He is currently building “Business of African Art” (boAA) a service journalism newsletter for emerging African artists.
He is a graduate of Columbia University and 2015 alumni of the Farafina Creative Workshop organized by award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Her debut novel Wahala was inspired by a long lunch with friends. It was published around the world in January 2022 to rave reviews, won the Comedy Women In Print New Voice Prize 2023, and was longlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell award and the Diverse Books Awards 2023. It’s being turned into a major BBC 6-part drama. She lives in Dorset with her husband, two standard schnauzers, and way too many books.
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.
IMPORTANT DATES
SUBMISSIONS OPEN
25th August
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
15th September
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCEMENT
17th November
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
17th December
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