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This is a list of prominent and notable writers from Africa. It includes poets, novelists, children's writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country.

Algeria

See: List of Algerian writers

Angola

See: List of Angolan writers

Benin

See: List of Beninese writers

Botswana

• Galesiti Baruti, novelist and academic
• Unity Dow (1959–), judge, human rights activist, writer and minister of basic education
• Bessie Head (1937–1986), novelist and short-story writer born in South Africa
• Leetile Disang Raditladi (1910–1971), playwright and poet
• Barolong Seboni (1957–), poet and academic

Burkina Faso

See: List of Burkinabé writers

Burundi

• Esther Kamatari (1951–)
• Ketty Nivyabandi (1978–)

Cameroon

See: List of Cameroonian writers

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

• Pierre Makombo Bamboté (1932–), novelist and poet
• Etienne Goyémidé (1942–1997), novelist, poet and short story writer: Le Silence de la Foret
• Blaise N'Djehoya (1953–), novelist
• Cyriaque Robert Yavoucko (1953–), novelist
• Adrienne Yabouza (1965-), novelist

Chad

• Salma Khalil Alio (1982–), poet, short story writer and artist.
• Khayar Oumar Deffalah (c. 1944–), politician and autobiographical writer
• Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar (1960–), economist and writer
• Marie-Christine Koundja (1957–), novelist and diplomat
• Koulsy Lamko (1959–), playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturer
• Joseph Brahim Seid (1927–1980), writer and politician
• Ahmat Taboye, literary critic

Congo (Brazzaville)

See: List of Republic of the Congo writers

Congo (Democratic Republic) – formerly Zaïre

See: List of Democratic Republic of the Congo writers

Côte d'Ivoire

See: List of Ivorian writers

Djibouti

• Waberi Abdourahman (1965–), novelist, poet and academic
• Mouna-Hodan Ahmed (1972–), French-language novelist

Egypt

See: List of Egyptian writers

Equatorial Guinea

• María Nsué Angüe (1945–2017), novelist and writer
• Justo Bolekia Boleká (1954–), professor and Bubi writer
• Juan Balboa Boneke (1938–2014), politician and writer
• Raquel Ilombé (1938–1992), Spanish-language writer
• Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel (1966–), Annobonese writer
• Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo (1950–), writer and journalist

Eritrea

• Hamid Barole Abdu (1953–), non-fiction
• Reesom Haile (2003–), Tigrinya-language poet
• Saba Kidane (1978–), Tigrinya poet
• Hannah Pool (1974–), journalist
• Alemseged Tesfai (1944–), English-language playwright

Ethiopia

• Sahle Selassie (c. 1795–1847)
• Haddis Alemayehu (1910–2003)
• Michael Daniel Ambatchew (1967–2012)
• Āfawarq Gabra Iyasus (1868–1947)
• Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin (1936–2006)
• Moges Kebede
• Tāddasa Lībān
• Tsehay Melaku
• Dinaw Mengestu (1978–)
• Maaza Mengiste (1974–)
• Nega Mezlekia (1958–)
• Martha Nasibù (1931–2020)
• Lemn Sissay (1967–)
• Hama Tuma (1949–)
• Mammo Wudneh (1931–2012)
• Birhānu Zarīhun (1933/4–1987)

Gabon

• Jean-Baptiste Abessolo (1932–), educator and short story writer
• Peggy Lucie Auleley, born French-language poet
• Bessora (1968–, in Belgium), novelist and short story writer
• Charline Effah (1977–), French-language novelist and educator
• Rene Maran, born near Martinique (1887–1960), poet and novelist
• Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa, French-language poet and novelist
• Justine Mintsa (1967–), French-language novelist
• Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang (1973–), French-language short story writer
• Nadia Origo (1977–), novelist and publisher
• Honorine Ngou (1957–), novelist and academic
• Vincent de Paul Nyonda (1918–1995), playwright
• Maurice Okoumba-Nkoghe (1954–), poet and teacher
• Laurent Owondo (1948–), playwright
• Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist

The Gambia

Ghana

See: List of Ghanaian writers

Guinea

See: List of Guinean writers

Guinea-Bissau

• Amílcar Cabral (1924–1973), agronomist, writer and politician
• Vasco Cabral (1926–2005)
• José Carlos Schwarz (1949–1977), poet and musician
• Fausto Duarte (1903–1953), from Cape Verde
• Carlos Lopes (1960–)
• Hélder Proença (died 2009)
• Carlos Semedo, poet
• Abdulai Silla (1958–)

Kenya

See: List of Kenyan writers

Lesotho

• David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet
• Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012)
• Simon Majara (1924–), Sotho novelist
• Zakea D. Mangoaela (1883–1963), folklorist
• Thomas Mofolo (1876–1948), novelist
• A. S. Mopeli-Paulus (1913–1960), novelist
• Edward Motsamai (1870–1959), politician and writer
• Kem Edward Ntsane (1920–), Sotho poet and novelist
• Basildon Peta (1972–), journalist
• Everitt Lechesa Segoete (1858–1923), religious and social writer
• Azariele M. Sekese (1849–1930), Basotho author and historian
• Joseph I. F. Tjokosela (c.1911–), Catholic writer and teacher

Liberia

• Edwin Barclay (1882–1955), politician and writer
• Thomas E. Besolow (c.1867–?), autobiographical writer
• Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), born in the Virgin Islands (see also Sierra Leone), educator, writer, diplomat and politician
• Roland Tombekai Dempster (1910–1965), poet
• Hawa Jande Golakai (1979–)
• Bai T. Moore (1916–1988), poet, novelist, folklorist and essayist
• Wilton G. S. Sankawulo (1937–2009), politician and author
• Vamba Sherif (1973–)

Libya

• Sadiq Al-Nayhum (1937–1994), Islamic writer, critic and journalist
• Khalifa al-Fakhri, short story writer
• Ahmed Fagih (1942–2019), novelist
• Muammar al-Gaddafi (1942–2011), politician and occasional novelist
• Ibrahiem El-kouni (1948–), novelist
• Latifa al-Zayyat (1923–1996), activist and novelist

Madagascar

See: List of Malagasy writers

Malawi

• Tito Banda (1950–2014), novelist, academic
• Ezra Jofiya Chadza (1923–1985), poet and novelist
• William Chafulumira (1908–1981), writer on social issues
• Lula Pensulo (b. 1991) author, translator, and poet
• Yesaya Chibambo, author of A Short History of the Ngoni (1933), translated into English by Rev. Charles Stuart.
• Shadreck Chikoti (b. 1979), writer and social activist
• Steve Chimombo (1945–2015), writer, poet, editor and teacher
• Frank Chipasula (b. 1949), poet, writer, editor, publisher and academic
• Reuben Chirambo (d. 2011), scholar of African literature
• Robert Chiwamba, poet
• Tobias Dossi, author of a novel (1958) and humorous short stories (1965) in Chichewa.
• Aloysius Dziko, author of a novel in Chichewa (1965).
• Walije Gondwe (b. 1936), Malawi's first female novelist
• John Gwengwe, author of novels in Chichewa (1965, 1968).
• Aubrey Kachingwe (b. 1926), novelist and short story writer
• Lawrence Kadzitche, short story writer
• Samson Kambalu (b. 1975), artist and autobiographer
• William Kamkwamba (b. 1987), inventor and author
• Gertrude Webster Kamkwatira (1966–2006), playwright
• Whyghtone Kamthunzi (1956–2000), novelist in Chichewa
• Legson Kayira (1942–2012), novelist and autobiographer
• Stanley Onjezani Kenani (b. 1976), writer and poet
• Ken Lipenga (b. 1954), politician, journalist and writer
• John Lwanda (b. 1949), biographer, poet, doctor, publisher
• Qabaniso Malewezi (b. 1979), spoken-word poet
• Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (b. 1962), poet and broadcaster
• Jack Mapanje (b. 1944), writer and poet
• Emily Mkamanga (b. 1949), novelist and social commentator
• Felix Mnthali (b. 1933), poet, novelist and playwright
• Francis Moto (b. 1952), writer, academic, and diplomat
• Sam Mpasu (b. 1945), novelist and politician; author of prison memoirs
• Edison Mpina (1946–2001), poet
• Ndongolera Mwangupili (b. 1977), poet and short story writer
• George Mwase (c.1885–1962), author of a historical account of the 1915 rebellion, published 1967 (2nd ed. 1970).
• Anthony Nazombe (1955–2004), poet and academic
• Innocent Masina Nkhonyo (b. 1987), short story writer and poet
• Jolly Max Ntaba (1946–1993), novelist in Chichewa and English
• Samuel Josia Ntara or Nthara (1905–1979), novelist and historian
• D.D. Phiri (Desmond Dudwa Phiri), economist, historian and playwright
• Bonwell Kadyankena Rodgers (b. 1991), author, translator and editor
• David Rubadiri (1930–2018), diplomat, academic and poet
• Paul Tiyambe Zeleza (b. 1955), historian, critic and writer
• Barnaba Zingani (b. 1958), novelist in Chichewa and English, teacher.
• Willie Zingani (b. 1954), novelist in English and Chichewa, journalist, poet, playwright
• Tendai M Shaba (b. 1989), author, writer and poet

See: List of Malawian writers

Mali

See: List of Malian writers

Mauritania

• Ahmad ibn al-Amin al-Shinqiti (1872–1913), Arabic-language writer
• Amadou Oumar Bâ (1917–), poet
• Yahya Ekhou (1990–), author

• Ibn Razqa (died 1144 AH/1731 AD), poet and scholar
• Moussa Diagana (1946–2018), French-language writer
• Moussa Ould Ebnou (1956–), French-language novelist
• Abderrahmane Sissako (1961–), filmmaker
• Yahya Ekhou (1990–), author

Mauritius

Morocco

Mozambique

See: List of Mozambican writers

Namibia

• Neshani Andreas (1964–2011), novelist
• Ndeutala Angolo (1952–), novelist and nonfiction writer
• Joseph Diescho (1955–), novelist
• Dorian Haarhoff (1944–), poet and academic
• Giselher Werner Hoffmann (1958–), German-language novelist
• Anoeschka von Meck (1967–), journalist and Afrikaans-language writer
• Hans Daniel Namuhuja (1924–1998), poet
• Cosmo Pieterse (1930–), playwright and poet living and working in South Africa

Niger

See: List of Nigerien writers

Nigeria

See: List of Nigerian writers

Rwanda

See: List of Rwandan writers

São Tomé and Príncipe

• Olinda Beja (1946–), novelist
• Sara Pinto Coelho (1913–1990), fiction writer and playwright
• Caetano da Costa Alegre (1864–1890), Portuguese-language poet
• Mário Domingues (1899–1977), novelist
• Conceição Lima (1962–), Portuguese-language poet
• Manuela Margarido (1925–2007), Portuguese-language poet
• Alda do Espírito Santo (1926–2010), Portuguese-language poet
• José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet

Senegal

See: List of Senegalese writers

Seychelles

• Antoine Abel (1934–2004), poet and fable writer

Sierra Leone

See: List of Sierra Leonean writers

Somalia

• Abdi Sheik Abdi (1942–), U.S.-based writer
• Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, linguist and translator
• Maxamed Daahir Afrax, novelist, playwright and critic
• Elmi Boodhari (1908–1940), poet
• Ayaan Hirsi Ali (1969–), feminist and anti-Islam activist
• Ahmed Ibrahim Artan, diplomat, author and politician
• Jaamac Cumar Ciise (c.1922–2014), historian of Somali oral literature
• Waris Dirie (1965–), model and autobiographical writer
• Salaan Carrabey (1864–1943), poet
• Cristina Ali Farah (1973–), poet and novelist
• Farah Nur (1862–1932), poet and warrior
• Hussein Hasan (d. 1910s), warrior and poet
• Nuruddin Farah (1945–), novelist
• Hadrawi (1943–), poet
• Yaasiin Cismaan Keenadiid (1919–1988), literary scholar
• Abdi Kusow, scholar and writer
• Abdillahi Suldaan Mohammed Timacade (1920–1973), poet
• Nadifa Mohamed (1981–), novelist
• Gaariye (d. 2012), poet
• Mohamed Haji Mukhtar (1947–), historian and scholar
• Rageh Omaar (1967–), journalist
• Abdi Ismail Samatar (1950–), geographer
• Ahmed Ismail Samatar (1950–), writer and academic
• Said S. Samatar (1943–), scholar and writer
• Cali Xuseen Xirsi (1946–2005), poet
• Shadya Yasin (1983/4–), poet

South Africa

See: List of South African writers

Sudan

See: List of Sudanese writers

Swaziland

• Modison Salayedvwa Magagula (1958–), playwright
• Stanley Musa N. Matsebula (1958–), economist and writer
• Elias Adam Bateng Mkhonta (1954–2001), novelist
• Sarah Mkhonza (1957–), novelist, short story writer and journalist
• Gladys Lomafu Pato (1930–), short story writer

Tanzania

See: List of Tanzanian writers

Togo

See: List of Togolese writers

Tunisia

See: List of Tunisian writers

Uganda

See: List of Ugandan writers

Western Sahara

• Mohamed Fadel Ismail Ould Es-Sweyih (1958–2002), journalist and politician
• Ahmed Baba Miské (1935–2016), writer, diplomat and politician

Zambia

• Ellen Banda-Aaku (1965–), fiction, children's books
• Jack Avon (1967–), non-fiction, business books
• Kenneth Kaunda (1924–2021), nationalist and writer
• Chibamba Kanyama (1965–), journalist and business writer
• Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelist
• Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist
• Charles Mwewa, poet and non-fiction writer
• Princess Zindaba Nyirenda, novelist
• Field Ruwe (1955–), educator, historian, media practitioner, author (fiction and non-fiction)
• Namwali Serpell (1980–), fiction
• Monde Sifuniso (1944–), editor, publisher, author (fiction and non-fiction)
• Binwell Sinyangwe (1956–)

Zimbabwe

See: List of Zimbabwean writers

See also

• African Writers Series
• Lists of authors
• International Research Confederacy on African Literature and Culture
• List of Latin American writers

Notes

1. "Batswapong history revealed". Mmegi.bw. 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
2. "Ketty Nivyabandi", World Literature Today, March 2014.
3. Acheikh ibn Oumar, Fiche de lecture de: "Fils de nomade, les mémoires du dromadaire" – Khayar Oumar Defallah Archived 2014-01-11 at the Wayback Machine, 11 February 2010.
4. "1ère ÉDITION DES JOURNÉES TCHADIENNES AU SÉNÉGAL: Pour vivifier un héritage culturel". Lematindafrique.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
5. "Mouna-Hodan Ahmed: An author from Djibouti writing in French". Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
6. Charles Cantalupo, Reesom Haile's poetry Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
7. Jane Plastow, "Alemseged Tesfai: a playwright in the service of Eritrean liberation", in Banham et al, African theatre in development, 1999, pp. 54–60.
8. Bouchard, N; Ferme, V (2013). Italy and the Mediterranean: Words, Sounds, and Images of the Post-Cold War Era. ISBN 978-1137343468.
9. "Peggy Lucie Auleley: lauréate du concours ACCT". Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. 1999-06-03. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
10. Toman, Cheryl (2016). Women Writers of Gabon: Literature and Herstory. p. xxviii. ISBN 978-1498537216.
11. "Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa". Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
12. "Justine Mintsa: An author from Gabon writing in French". Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
13. "Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang: An author from Gabon writing in French". Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au. 2003-09-19. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
14. Albert S. Gérard, European-Language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa: Volume 1, p. 286.
15. Margaret Busby (ed.), Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent from the Ancient Egyptian to the Present, London: Jonathan Cape, 1992; Vintage, 1993; pp. 275–276.
16. Suha Taji-Farouki, 'Sadiq Nayhum: An Introduction to the Life and Works of a Contemporary Libyan Intellectual', The Maghreb Review, 25:3–4 (2000), pp. 242 ff.
17. Benghazi-Born Poet Mattawa Reflects on Growing up Under Gadhafi, PBS Newshour, 2 March 2011.
18. Nyasa Times obituary "Malawi writer, media trainer dies: Tito Banda | Malawi Nyasa Times – Malawi breaking news in Malawi". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
19. Dictionary of African Christian Biography.
20. ^ Janheinz Jahn; Ulla Schild; Almut Nordmann Seiler (1972). Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries. Horst Erdmann Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7711-0153-4.
21. https://archive.org/details/@lula_pensulo
22. B. Pachai, "Samuel Josiah Ntara: Writer and Historian" The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 21, No. 2 (July, 1968), pp. 60-66; page 60.
23. ^ Killam, Douglas & Ruth Rowe, eds., The Companion to African Literatures. James Currey & Indiana University Press; 2000. ISBN 0-253-33633-3
24. Univ. of South Africa obituary
25. Malawi 24 news 6 Nov 2015
26. ^ Chimombo, Steve, (1987) "Creative Writing in Malawi: A Bibliography" Research in African Literatures, Vol. 18, No. 3, Special Issue on the Concept of National Literature (Autumn, 1987), pp. 336-339
27. Lars Eckstein, ed., English Literatures Across the Globe: A Companion, p. 122-3.
28. "News story about Kadzitche's publications". Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
29. Precious Kalolo, "Qabaniso ‘Q’ Malewezi reflects with ‘The Road Taken’" "Timve Magazine » Qabaniso 'Q' Malewezi reflects with 'The Road Taken'". Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2014., Timeve Magazine.
30. Alfred Msadala, "A look at Bededicto Wokomaatani Malunga", Destined for great things: papers, 1999, pp. 27–8.
31. Albert S. Gérard (1986), European-Language writing in Sub-Southern Africa, p. 962.
32. Profile in the Daily Nation April 4, 2014
33. WorldCat identities
34. B. Pachai, "Samuel Josiah Ntara: Writer and Historian" The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 21, No. 2 (July, 1968), pp. 60-66
35. Author of Miyambi ya Patsokwe (Chichewa proverbs) (2015) and Mpandamachokero (Malawian tales) (2015); editor of Chisimba cha Alakatuli (anthology of Chichewa poems) (2015).
36. "Willie Zingani: A Writer of All Ages" (Profile in the Daily Nation newspaper, April 18, 2014).
37. "Shaba revives poetry". 17 July 2020.
38. "Local author Neshani Andreas dead". The Namibian. May 17, 2011.
39. Sven Rosenow. "Die Biographie von Gilselher W. Hoffmann". Afrikaroman.de. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
40. "Palimage: Olinda Beja". Palimage.pt. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
41. Cavaleiro da Torre (2004-02-27). "Torre da História Ibérica: Admirável Mário Domingues". Torredahistoriaiberica.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
42. Morreu a poetisa são-tomense Manuela Margarido Archived 2012-09-05 at the Wayback Machine, Publico, 11 March 2007.
43. Hans M. Zell, Carol Bundy, Virginia Coulon, A New Reader's Guide to African Literature, 1983, p. 498.
44. Elias Munshya wa Munshya, Zambia: Chibamba Kanyama’s Controversy: A Review of “Business Values for our Time”, Lusaka Times 31 October 2010.
45. Albert S. Gérard, African Language Literatures: an introduction to the literary history of Sub-Saharan Africa, 1981, p. 227.
46. Eric Gondwe, Charles Mwewa, Zambian.com.
47. Zambian Economist review.

References

1. [Gikandi] Simon Gikandi, ed., Encyclopedia of African Literature. Routledge; 2002. ISBN 978-0-415-23019-3
2. [Gikandi & Mwangi] Simon Gikandi & Evan Mwangi, ed., The Columbia Guide to East African Literature in English Since 1945. Columbia University Press; 2007. ISBN 978-0-231-12520-8
3. [Killam & Rowe] Douglas Killam & Ruth Rowe, eds., The Companion to African Literatures. James Currey & Indiana University Press; 2000. ISBN 0-253-33633-3
4. [Jahn] Janheinz Jahn, Ulla Schild & Almut Nordmann Seiler, eds., Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries. Horst Erdmann Verlag, 1972. ISBN 978-3-7711-0153-4

External links

• 25 African Women Writers
• Contemporary African writers/authors
• Africa Resource research data
• Lire les femmes – African women writers

• Lists of African writers
• Lists of writers by nationality