Opportunities For African Writers In 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a powerful year for African writers ready to claim their space, build their audience, and tell the stories only they can tell. This month, we are set to share opportunities to maximize your potential.

From prizes and residencies to ideas for how to use them to grow your craft, your readership, and your literary community.

1. Major Prizes & Competitions (Short Stories, Novels, Poetry)

These opportunities can change your career in a flash! There’s prize money, residencies, global visibility, and powerful networks.

Short Fiction

1. The Caine Prize for African Writing  

  - Focus: Short stories by African writers, often previously published  

  - Why it matters: One of the most visible platforms for African short fiction  

  - Find out more: https://caineprize.com

2. Commonwealth Short Story Prize

  - Focus: Unpublished short fiction, open to Commonwealth citizens (many African countries qualify)  

  - Why it matters: It allows for simultaneous publication, translation opportunities, and offers strong editorial support  

  - Find out more: https://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/our-work/culture/commonwealth-short-story-prize/

3. Short Story Day Africa Prize  

  - Focus: Themed African short stories, often with speculative, experimental, or socially engaged angles  

  - Why it matters: It offers an anthology publication, mentorship, and a rigorous editorial process  

  - Find out more:https://shortstorydayafrica.org

Novel, Nonfiction & Hybrid

4. Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship

  - Focus: African writers working on a book-length work (fiction or nonfiction)  

  - Why it matters: Monthly stipend so you can focus on writing–isn't that the dream!  

  - Find out more:https://milesmorlandfoundation.com

5. Kwani Manuscript Project (check status for 2026)  

  - Focus: Unpublished manuscripts by African writers  

  - Why it matters: It has launched important careers; it offers editorial support and visibility  

  - Find out more:https://kwani.org

Poetry

6. The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poets

  - Focus: Unpublished full-length poetry manuscripts by African poets  

  - Why it matters: It offers publication and recognition through the African Poetry Book Fund  

  - Find out more:https://africanpoetrybf.unl.edu/sillerman  

7. The Brunel International African Poetry Prize(check 2026 status)  

  - Focus: Unpublished poetry by African poets  

  - Why it matters: Global visibility!

  - Find out more:https://africanpoetrybf.unl.edu

2. Residencies & Fellowships for A Deep Dive

As a writer (or prospective writer), you should jump on residencies. Such as:

1. Writers in Residence at the Sylt Foundation (Germany/South Africa)  

  - Focus: African and global writers; residency with a focus on cultural exchange  

  - Find out more:https://www.syltfoundation.com

2. Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship

  - Doubles as a “virtual residency” with financial support  

  - Find out more:https://milesmorlandfoundation.com  

3. Wits Writing Centre & African Cities of Literature Initiatives

  - Look out for residency-style programs and fellowships tied to UNESCO Cities of Literature in Africa (e.g. Durban)  

  - Find out more:https://www.wits.ac.za/writingcentre  

Always check:

- Application deadlines (often early in the year)

- Whether travel/visa costs are covered

- Requirements: sample work, project proposal, references

3. Independent & Community-Focused Publishers to Watch

These publishers actively seek African and diasporic stories, often with strong community publishing values.

1. Cassava Republic Press

  - Focus: African and diasporic voices across fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and more  

  - Find out more: https://cassavarepublic.press

2. Farafina Books (Kachifo Limited)

  - Focus: African fiction, YA, and nonfiction, especially Nigerian and regional stories  

  - Find out more: https://kachifo.com  

3. Ouida Books  

  - Focus: Bold, contemporary African voices  

  - Find out more: https://ouidabooks.com

4. Huza Press (Rwanda)  

  - Focus: East and Central African voices, often experimental and socially engaged  

  - Find out more: https://huzapress.org  

5. Modjaji Books (South Africa)  

  - Focus: Women’s writing from Africa  

  - Find out more: https://modjajibooks.co.za

And you can always send submissions to us.  Check out our submissions page for guidelines.

Before submitting:

- Read at least one book or anthology from each press  

- Check submission guidelines on their websites  

- Follow them on social media for open calls and special projects

4. Digital Magazines, Platforms & Community Hubs

These are where you can publish shorter work, build your portfolio, and join conversations.

Literary Magazines (Online)

1. Brittle Paper

  - Focus: African fiction, essays, poetry, commentary  

  - Find out more: https://brittlepaper.com  

2. Jalada Africa

  - Focus: Experimental, multilingual, and pan-African writing  

  - Find out more: https://jaladaafrica.org  

3. Lolwe  

  - Focus: Fiction, essays, poetry, and photography from Africa and the diaspora  

  - Find out more: https://lolwe.org  

4. Omenana  

  - Focus: African speculative fiction (SFF, horror, futurisms)  

  - Find out more: https://omenana.com  

5. The Johannesburg Review of Books

  - Focus: Reviews, essays, and original writing from and about Africa  

  - Find out more: https://johannesburgreviewofbooks.com

Here's What You Need To Do Right Away

1. Choose 3 opportunities from the lists above (one prize, one magazine, one press).  

2. Block out 4–6 writing sessions on your calendar for revising work to submit.  

3. Join one community space (a Facebook group, Discord, or Twitter chat).  

4. Create or update your author hub (website, Linktree, or newsletter signup).  

Then share your journey on social media. Something like this:

 “I’m committing to submitting to at least three African or diaspora-focused opportunities in 2026. Hold me accountable. Who’s with me?”  

Put Yourself Out There

The landscape is changing: more platforms, more prizes, more independent presses rooted in African realities. So in 2026, your words can travel from a late-night draft on your phone to:

- A pan-African anthology

- A prize shortlist  

- A reader in another city who finally feels seen  

It's only wise that you keep putting yourself out there.