The Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop has announced the fellows selected for its 2026 edition, marking the programme’s fourth cohort since its launch.
Applications for the workshop opened in October 2025 and closed after receiving 100 submissions from prose and poetry writers living across Africa.
Founded in 2022 by Frances Ogamba, Kasimma, and Mubanga Kalimamukwento, the Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop is aimed at supporting emerging African writers with three or fewer publications. The workshop derives its name from the Igbo word ide, meaning “pillar,” and the Bemba word mbeka, meaning “star,” reflecting its mission to serve as both support and illumination for writers on the continent.
The 2026 cohort will participate in a five-day virtual workshop running from January 5 to January 9, 2026. Sessions will be facilitated by a faculty of award-winning African writers, including Rafeeat Aliyu, Sihle Ntuli, Michelle K. Angwenyi, Ibrahim Babátúndé Ibrahim, and Gloria Mwaniga Odary.
The selected fellows for the 2026 Idembeka Creative Writing Workshop are:
- A. Mulamba Chibesakunda
- Abraham Aondoana
- Chibuzor Mokelu
- Emmanuel Ikechukwu Imemba
- Nonye Alo
- Richard Phiri
- Ogonna Annette Onwudiegwu
- Trycent Milimo
- Zimuzo K. Okeke
Congratulations to the 2026 fellows!
