Caine Prize for African Writing reveals 2024 shortlist alongside new format

The Caine Prize for African Writing, celebrating African writers, has announced the 2024 shortlist as well as a new format to “re-centre the announcement on the African continent”.

The five shortlisted stories for the £10,000 award were selected from 320 entries across 28 countries.

The shortlisted writers for the 2024 Caine Prize for African Writing are Tryphena Yeboah (Ghana) for “The Dishwashing Women”, Nadia Davids (South Africa) for “Bridling”, Samuel Kolawole (Nigeria) for “Adjustment of Status”, Uche Okonkwo (Nigeria) for “Animals”, Pemi Aguda (Nigeria) for “Breastmilk”.

Chika Unigwe, chair of the judges, said: “The judging process was challenging and rewarding. We read over 200 eligible stories, uncovering many gems from both familiar and new writers. Our discussions were passionate, and when we reached our unofficial longlist, we wished we could have included every story.

“The shortlist and the honorable mention – Zimbabwe’s Yvette Ndlovu – span four countries and include writers at various stages of their promising careers. These stories, ranging from speculative to realistic, cover diverse subject matters but share a common thread: they are compelling, universal human stories.”

This year marks 24 years since Leila Aboulela was announced as the winner of the inaugural prize and sees a shift in the announcement.

Organisers said: “Over the years, the format of the announcement and award ceremony has changed several times, and this year the Caine Prize is adjusting it once again to re-centre the announcement on the African continent. This will allow the prize to integrate this year’s shortlisted writers and judges into the year-long celebration of our 25th anniversary in 2025.”

The winner will be announced on 17th September via a pre-recorded address. The shortlisted writers will be integrated into the Caine Prize’s 25th anniversary celebrations, participating in a "meet the writers" event, and appearing alongside past winners and shortlisted writers in readings and discussions held at partner institutions.

All shortlisted stories will be published in The Caine Prize Anthology alongside stories written at the Caine Prize Workshop, held this year in Malawi.

Full details of plans for the year-long, multi-country 25th anniversary celebrations will be released at a later date.

Ellah Wakatama, chair of The Caine Prize Board of trustees, said of the new format: “As chair, I look forward to using the 2024 prize as an opportunity to amplify my publishing colleagues’ efforts to highlight Africa’s rich writing history while showcasing the best of Africa’s new voices.

“I hope this year’s format will spark wide curiosity and interest in past and contemporary literature from the country that birthed and influenced this year’s winner.

“For 24 years the prize has helped bring African writers to the literary world stage. We are now taking the world to Africa and its writers. We welcome your encouragement, support and commitment as we boldly move forward.”  

Idza Luhumyo won the award last year.