African literary festivals have come a long way. My first festival experience was at the Kaduna Books and Arts Festival (Kabafest), which debuted in 2017. At the time, I was aware of the Ake Festival, but as a student in Zaria, traveling to either Ogun or Lagos State felt out of reach. So when news broke that a new festival was launching in Kaduna, closer to home, excitement surged through me. Little did I know it would be the beginning of even more.
Literary festivals are a celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural expression. These gatherings bring together writers, performers, publishers, art curators, influencers, and readers for book signings, readings, panel discussions, performances, and workshops. Beyond entertainment, they foster rich cultural exchanges and strengthen literary communities.
In recent years, Africa has seen a growing wave of literary festivals. Yet, there is still work to be done to deepen the culture of reading and writing and explore diverse creative productions, especially as literacy remains a pressing issue. This piece highlights some of the African literary festivals that have emerged since 2020, offering insight into their impact and potential to inspire more literary engagement.
Here are some of the notable African Literary Festivals:
Hausa International Book and Arts Festival (HIBAF) – Established 2021
The Hausa International Book and Arts Festival (HIBAF) is an initiative of Open Arts, a creative and cultural organization based in northern Nigeria, founded by writer Sada Malumfashi. Launched in October 2021, HIBAF fosters discussions on the Hausa language through literature, history, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on engaging a young audience.
With a commitment to exploring new digital collaborations and fresh perspectives, the festival seeks to examine the role and meaning of culture in times of crisis. HIBAF also aims to combat extremism in West Africa through the power of storytelling and artistic expression. By showcasing contemporary African literature, music, art, and theatre, the festival highlights the significance of the Hausa language, given its extensive reach across the region.
This African literary festival is supported by the University of Bristol, UK.
NBO LitFest – Established 2021
The inaugural NBO LitFest took place in 2021 under the theme Writing African Cities, marking a historic moment—the 90th anniversary of Nairobi’s iconic McMillan Memorial Library, the city’s oldest library. The festival explored Nairobi’s rich literary and cultural landscape, reflecting on 90 years of the library’s legacy and a century of the city’s history.
Anchored in Nairobi’s public libraries, the first edition was held virtually, featuring stories and ideas from Nairobi and beyond. As a celebration of public libraries as spaces for art, culture, and knowledge, the festival included storytelling sessions and conversations with writers.
NBO LitFest was founded by Book Bunk, an organization established in 2017 by writer Wanjiru Koinange and publisher Angela Wachuka. Book Bunk is dedicated to restoring Nairobi’s historic public libraries, transforming them into vibrant hubs for heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, and cultural exchange.
A key focus of the first edition was the reimagining of spaces with contested colonial and historical legacies—exemplified by the McMillan Memorial Library—offering new perspectives while honoring the past.
Doek Literary Festival – Established 2022
The Doek Literary Festival, hosted by Doek! Magazine in Windhoek, Namibia, first launched in April 2022. The biennial festival celebrates Namibian literature, African artists, and creatives from the African diaspora.
Its mission is to “nurture and grow the country’s reading and writing culture while providing a creative and immersive space for encountering the works of Namibian and other prominent African writers.”
Through workshops, readings, panel discussions, and musical performances, the festival fosters learning and creative exchange. Each edition spotlights a specific literary field—such as fiction, nonfiction, visual arts, or poetry—aligned with Doek! Magazine’s publishing focus.
For every edition, a design partner is selected to develop experiential elements of the festival. This partner must have a proven track record of working with or promoting the arts in Namibia. Additionally, a venue partner is chosen to provide hosting facilities for the event.
Harare Open Book Festival – Established 2022
The Harare Open Book Festival (HOBF) made its debut in October 2022 at Ela The Garden in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. Founded by Book Fantastics, a Harare-based distributor of African books, the festival launched under the theme “United through Our Stories.” It featured a range of activities, including readings, book exhibitions, and panel discussions.
Although still in its early stages and not yet an international event, HOBF aims to complement the efforts of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF) and the Harare Literature Festival (Litfest). While the festival is currently regional, with panelists from Zambia and South Africa, its potential for growth is clear, and it’s only a matter of time before it expands further.
The Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers – Established 2023
In 2023, the University of Johannesburg’s Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Studies hosted the inaugural Johannesburg Festival of Women Writers. This festival was created to spotlight and celebrate the work of women writers. It also aims to foster productive conversations between generations of writers, encourage emerging voices, and promote a culture of reading books.
All Africa Women’s Poetry Festival – Established 2023
Founded by Madam Emma Ofosua, Tuniq Africa launched the All-African Women Poetry Festival to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of African women through poetry.
The festival brings poets from across the globe to showcase their works and engage with audiences worldwide. The inaugural event took place in May 2023 at the Art Africa Gallery, British Council, and the Dikan Center in Accra.
The festival celebrates African literature, culture, and diversity, featuring a vibrant lineup of activities, including poetry readings, book launches, panel discussions, workshops, and performances by both established and emerging African poets.
Soma Nami African Book Festival – Established 2023
Soma Nami Books, a leading Pan-African cultural and literary hub in Kenya, launched the African Book Fair by Soma Nami Books. This annual, week-long event has been dubbed “Kenya’s largest showcase and fair of African books.” The inaugural fair in 2023 attracted over 5,000 attendees from East Africa, showcasing 10,000 books from more than 50 African countries.
The festival’s aim is to promote African literary art, highlight African writers, and provide them with a platform to engage with readers. Additionally, it seeks to reawaken Kenya’s reading culture.
The fair features a variety of activities, including a display of books from all 54 African countries, panel discussions, storytelling sessions, exhibitions, reader-focused engagement, poetry, and live music.
Ingcayizivele Book Festival – Established 2023
The inaugural Ingcayizivele Book Festival took place in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa, in September 2023, under the theme “Telling Our Own Stories.”
Founded by Bobo Lukhele and Mpumi Mbethe, the BookHive book club started in 2014 as a casual monthly gathering where readers met at various venues to socialize and discuss literature. Over time, this humble initiative grew into a registered non-profit organization with a mission to encourage disadvantaged children and young people to read. The organization also launched the BookHive Mobile Bookshop, which supports new and self-publishing authors, helping them reach markets in Mbombela and other areas, alongside other literacy-focused programs.
The name Ingcayizivele means “original” or “unique” in isiZulu. This African literary festival offers a diverse range of activities for all ages, from children and teens to young adults and adults. The first edition featured panel discussions, readings, and much more.
Nakuru Kitabu Festival – Established 2023
The Nakuru Kitabu Festival is designed to promote artistic expression through reading, writing, performance, and intellectual literary discussions in Nakuru City. Founded by Pita Oduor, the inaugural event, held on December 10, 2023, featured prominent figures such as Silas Nyanchwani, Chomba Njoka, and Boniface Mwalii.
The festival attracted over 70 participants, mostly young people between the ages of 25 and 45, with a keen interest in various literary activities, including writing, editing, translation, literary criticism, oral performances, and other sectors of Kenya’s publishing industry.
Nakuru Kitabu provides a unique opportunity for authors to connect with readers, while also allowing book lovers to engage with their favorite authors. The festival takes place monthly at the Nakuru Players Theatre and includes a range of activities such as author readings, moderated interviews, networking sessions, spoken word performances, and live music.
iLembe Book Festival – Established 2024
The inaugural iLembe Book Festival took place in KwaZulu-Natal in February 2024 under the theme ‘Our Time, Our Stories, Our Voices’. The festival was brought to life through the efforts of prominent figures such as award-winning novelist Nozizwe Cynthia Jele, author and journalist Dudu Busani-Dube, and writer Ayanda Xaba. Celebrating and reflecting on the human experience, the festival fosters a closer connection with literature and poetry within the iLembe District Municipality and surrounding communities of South Africa. It unites renowned authors, thought leaders, and a new generation of fearless voices to share our stories in our own voices.
Key activities at the iLembe Book Festival include:
- Creative Writing Workshops to upskill local aspiring authors
- School visits and book donations to encourage young people to read and write
- Book sales at discounted prices, with special stalls for locally self-published books
- Food, arts, and craft vendors
The festival is made possible through funding from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP), and the National Arts Council (NAC), in partnership with the Luthuli Museum.
NYrobi Comic Festival – Established 2024
The inaugural NYrobi Comic Festival took place at Alliance Française Nairobi in March 2024 as part of the Francophonie celebrations. This new initiative brought together writers, graphic designers, animators, and artists to discuss and explore the state of comics and graphic novels in Kenya, as well as the future of the industry. Supported by the French Government’s Creation Africa-Kenya project, which aims to strengthen the capacities of Kenyan artists across various creative industries, the festival serves as a platform for collaboration and growth in the Kenyan comic scene.
Kano International Poetry Festival – Established 2024
The Kano International Poetry Festival was launched in July 2024 at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, thanks to Poetic Wednesdays—a youth-focused non-governmental, non-political, and non-partisan initiative aimed at promoting literature and literary activities in Northern Nigeria.
The festival features a range of activities, including panels, poetry readings, and other events, both in-person and virtual. This annual gathering serves as a platform for young authors, poets, and literary creators to showcase their work and exchange ideas with fellow creatives.
Jinja International Poetry Festival – Established 2024
The inaugural Jinja International Poetry Festival took place from October 24th to 27th, 2024, at Safe Space, Nyenga Hill, Uganda, with the theme “Roots.” The festival centered on poetry, featuring performances in local languages from seven countries and ten communities across Uganda. The event was organized by a team of five literary enthusiasts.
The festival presented several awards, including:
- Best Poetry Book/Collection
- Best Spoken Word/Poetry Show
- Best Outstanding Social Impact
- Lifetime Achievement
The first edition showcased 23 performances, with artists from Uganda and other countries: three from Kenya, one from Rwanda, one from South Sudan, a band from Comoros, and one from Zimbabwe.
Two workshops were held: one focusing on performance skills and the other addressing women’s experiences in the poetry industry. The festival also hosted a poetry slam with six participants (three men and three women). Jemima won the slam, followed by Geof d’Poet in second place and Jolly Joy in third.
Abuja International Poetry Festival – Established 2024
The Abuja International Poetry Festival (AIPFest), one of Nigeria’s newest literary festivals, launched its maiden edition in November 2024. With the theme “Afrofuturism and Digital Culture,” the inaugural event, held in Abuja, was organized by Nasara Creative, a literary agency focused on promoting literature, intellectual property awareness, and cultural expression. The festival received invaluable support from The African School of Economics, Abuja Literary Society, Jeje Riders, Spine & Label Bookshop, and the All Africa Intellectual Property Rights Summit – Rwanda 2024.
AIPFest set off in style, questioning, envisioning, and creating new possibilities for the African poet against the backdrop of the digital revolution, intellectual property, and futurity.
The hybrid festival featured both emerging and established poets from around the world, providing a safe space for poets, dreamers, researchers, and intellectuals to connect and explore.
Programmes included knowledge-sharing sessions, poetry masterclasses, panel discussions, readings, feedback sessions, a poetry concert, and a poetry party. The festival concluded on a high note with a grand poetry slam named after the esteemed performance poet Efe Paul Azino, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
iGugulethu Book Fair – Established 2024
The inaugural iGugulethu Book Fair took place in December 2024 at the Gugulethu Sports Complex, South Africa. Organized by Lumkile’s Book Joint SA, founded by Lumkile Mzukwa, the fair aims to address significant social challenges in the township, particularly the growing number of children unable to read with meaning. The theme of the fair, “Building Belonging and Social Cohesion Through Books and Partnerships 30 Years Into Our Democracy,” captures its timely mission.
The fair featured a children’s corner, entertainment, book fair merchandise, food stalls, and writer’s sessions, providing a vibrant space for learning and community engagement.
Sharjah Festival of African Literature – Established 2025
The Sharjah Festival of African Literature (SFAL) made its debut in January 2025, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority. Held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the festival is dedicated to celebrating African literary works and fostering cultural exchange between Africa and the Arab world. Its goal is to honor African literary heritage while advancing dialogue among writers, intellectuals, artists, and readers.
The inaugural edition, themed “The Tale of Africa,” featured over 20 African authors and novelists, including Nobel laureates Wole Soyinka and Abdulrazak Gurnah. The event took place at University City Hall, hosting up to 10,000 visitors throughout the festival.
Through workshops, performances, and discussions, SFAL explored the intersection of African literature, art, and heritage, bringing together creators from Africa and the African diaspora.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, emphasized the festival’s importance “…in uniting creators and promoting the authentic cultural values that connect people and enrich human communication.”
The festivals highlighted above are just a glimpse into the vibrant and growing landscape of literary gatherings across Africa, especially from 2020 onwards. Each of the creatives behind these festivals has not only contributed to the culture but set remarkable precedents that continue to shape the continent’s literary future.
A perfect example of the influence festivals can have is in Nigeria, where the story of Kabafest exemplifies the ripple effect that one gathering can trigger. My own journey began at Kabafest in 2017, but it was a deeper connection to the Ake Festival that led to a significant turning point. Back in 2015, my brother and a group of friends, as students in ABU Zaria, made a self-sponsored trip to Abeokuta to attend the Ake Festival. During their visit, they crossed paths with the then-Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai. He was so impressed by their dedication that he promised to sponsor their return for the next edition. This led to the creation of the Kaduna Books and Arts Festival (Kabafest) in 2017, a model festival that has since attracted a wide audience from across northern Nigeria.
Kabafest’s success paved the way for many other creative initiatives, from festivals to literary programs, across the country. It’s a prime example of how one festival can spark a movement, inspire collaborations, and help strengthen the region’s cultural fabric. These festivals not only fuel creative expression but also amplify the power of storytelling, and it is exciting to see how this momentum will continue to unfold across Africa.
So, as we celebrate the continued growth of African literary festivals, one question remains: Where will the next impactful festival emerge, and which community will lead the charge in shaping the future of African literature?
