The Island Prize has officially unveiled its 2025 longlist, with this year’s selection process proved to be the most challenging yet, with over 150 submissions from across the continent, reflecting an exceptional quality of storytelling.
Established to support new and unpublished African writers, the Island Prize continues to showcase diverse narratives that reflect the continent’s rich literary traditions. The nine longlisted books for the 2025 Island Prize are:
- A Small Patch of Earth by Azags Agandaa (Ghana)
- A Dream Bewitched by Izzy Agu (Rwanda/Nigeria)
- To Wake in Happiness by Rafeeat Aliyu (Nigeria)
- Delayed Destiny by Herbert Ambesi Che (Cameroon)
- Back Against the Wall by Geoffrey Irungu (Kenya)
- Love Across Borders by Wame Molefhe (Botswana)
- I Looked Up by Kuzivashe Kudzerema (Zimbabwe)
- Valley of Bones by Kristien Potgieter (South Africa)
- Night Dancer by Zabu Wamara (Uganda)
While these nine books form the official longlist, the judges also recognized ten additional works that displayed remarkable literary merit, earning special mentions.
Looking ahead, the panel now faces the difficult task of selecting a shortlist of three finalists, set to be announced on May 5, 2025.
Congratulations to all longlisted writers on this great win!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
