We are delighted to unveil the longlist for a trio of prestigious literary awards in 2023:

• The 2023 African Writers Awards for Poetry
• The 5th Edition of the Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature
• The 2nd African Teen Writers Awards

This year, we received a multitude of entries that showcased the immense talent and creativity of writers from across the African continent and beyond. Each submission offered a unique and compelling perspective, making the task of compiling the longlist a truly arduous but rewarding endeavour.

To ensure fairness and impartiality in the selection process, all entries were meticulously judged anonymously by a distinguished panel of experts. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed panel of judges who dedicated their time and expertise to evaluate the submissions. Our panel of judges included: Nahida Esmail (Tanzania), Testimony Odey (Nigeria), Temwani Mgunda (Malawi), Corona Cermak (Tanzania), Patricia Peace Ejang (Uganda), Comfort Nyati, SDB (Zimbabwe), Tamunomieibi Enoch (Nigeria), Temani Nkalolang (Botswana), Halieo Motanyane (Lesotho), Omadang Yowasi (Uganda), and Namse Udosen (Nigeria).

After careful consideration and extensive deliberation, we are pleased to present the selected entries for the longlist, presented here in alphabetical order:

The 2023 African Writers Awards for Poetry

1. Coded Tongue by Mirriam Kalekye (Kenya)
2. Dear AI by Dr Pat Ashinze (Nigeria)
3. Nyachide by Emelda Gwitimah (Zimbabwe)
4. Oracles of Zeros and Ones by Truth Ndubueze (Nigeria)
5. Robo Fantasies by Mufumba Jonathan (Uganda)
6. Samantha by Alex Lwanda (Kenya)
7. Scorching by Uduogu Victor (Nigeria)
8. The AI Dawn by Seyi Ojenike (Nigeria)    
9. The Nilotic Coddiwomple by Marial Awendit (South Sudan)
10. Whispers of Codes by Isabel Nowemigisha (Uganda)

The 5th Edition of the Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature

1. Meeme and the singing Calabash by Grace Tendo Katana (Uganda)
2. Ngoni Makes a Difference by Kudzai Mhangwa (Zimbabwe)
3. Omelet the Dreaming Flying Dodo by Winnie Maluli (Kenya)
4. Secret Mission Man by Silindiwe Sibanda (South Africa)
5. Tato by Chantelle Chiwetalu (Nigeria)
6. Thandi and the Hair Whisperer by Lindsay Katchika-Jere (Malawi)
7. The Girl with a Halo by Ayodele  Oyeku (Nigeria)
8. The Red Boy of Zoe Street by Elizabeth Dwamena-Asare (Ghana)

The 2nd African Teen Writers Awards (Poetry)

1. A gulp from my porch by FATIMA ABDULWAHAB (Nigeria)
2. Because Life Began on a Dreamers Lips by BELLA OGWUCHE (Nigeria)
3. E-M(AI)L by Theresa Shukrani Mulindwa (Zambia)
4. Grief garden- beautiful broken by Ehijokwu Onyinyechi Rita (Nigeria)
5. Home is where blood meets water by Erinola Daranijo (Nigeria)
6. Lost Identity by Amina Muhammad (Nigeria)
7. Rhythm by Johanna Ataman (Nigeria)
8. This poem leads back home by Adedokun Ibrahim (Nigeria)
9. Unveiled Radiance: A Tribute to Black Women by Olamide Jamiu (Nigeria)
10. Yet Again by Abimbola Akinyemi (Nigeria)

The 2nd African Teen Writers Awards (Prose)

1. A Flipped Coin by Divine Okpe (Nigeria)
2. African heritage by Joshua Ojo (Nigeria)
3. Alone by Oluwanifemi Fagbolagun (Nigeria)
4. Family bond by Esther Oluwatuminimu Opayemi (Nigeria)
5. Father is desolated body by Abioye Aisha (Nigeria)
6. Just when we thought its dawn by Sa’ada Yahaya (Nigeria)
7. Midnight is the carnival of a Dead Man by Ndakotsu Abubakar (Nigeria)
8. My country my pride by Fayemi Oyinoluwa (Nigeria)
9. Mysteries untold by Vyangel Aorabee (Nigeria)
10. Treasure in detention by Fayemi Iyinoluwa (Nigeria)

We take great pride in the remarkable talent showcased within these selected submissions, and we want to convey our warmest congratulations to the writers whose works have earned a place on the longlist. We invite you to stay tuned as we progress to the next phase of our awards, which includes the eagerly anticipated announcement of the shortlist on the 2nd of October.

Furthermore, we want to reaffirm our steadfast commitment to honouring and celebrating the exceptional literary artistry that flourishes within our vibrant and diverse literary community. We also extend our sincere appreciation once again to our esteemed panel of judges for their invaluable support.

Warm regards,
Anthony ‘PenBoss’ Onugba,
Chief Judge,
African Writers Awards

Read – 2022 African Writers Awards, Wakini Prize, and Teens Award Winners