List of African writers by country explained

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^[1]
• 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–)^[2]

Cameroon

See: List of Cameroonian writers

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^[3]
• Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar (1960–), economist and writer^[4]
• 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^[5]

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^[6]
• Saba Kidane (1978–), Tigrinya poet
• Hannah Pool (1974–), journalist
• Alemseged Tesfai (1944–), English-language playwright^[7]

Ethiopia

See also: List of Amharic writers.

• 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)^[8]
• Lemn Sissay (1967–)
• Hama Tuma (1949–)
• Mammo Wudneh (1931–2012)
• Birhānu Zarīhun (1933/4–1987)
• Nega Mezlekia (1958–)

Gabon

• Jean-Baptiste Abessolo (1932–), educator and short story writer
• Peggy Lucie Auleley, born French-language poet^[9]
• Bessora (1968–, in Belgium), novelist and short story writer
• Charline Effah (1977–), French-language novelist and educator^[10]
• Rene Maran, born near Martinique (1887–1960), poet and novelist
• Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa, French-language poet and novelist^[11]
• Justine Mintsa (1967–), French-language novelist^[12]
• Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang (1973–), French-language short story writer^[13]
• 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

See main article: List of Gambian writers.

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^[14]
• Abdulai Silla (1958–)

Kenya

See: List of Kenyan writers

Lesotho

• David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet
• Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012)^[15]
• 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^[16]
• Khalifa al-Fakhri, short story writer^[17]
• 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^[18]
• Ezra Jofiya Chadza (1923–1985), poet and novelist
• William Chafulumira (1908–1981), writer on social issues^{[19] [20]}
• Lula Pensulo (b. 1991) author, translator, and poet^[21]
• Yesaya Chibambo, author of A Short History of the Ngoni (1933), translated into English by Rev. Charles Stuart.^[22]
• Shadreck Chikoti (b. 1979), writer and social activist
• Steve Chimombo (1945–2015), writer, poet, editor and teacher^[23]
• Frank Chipasula (b. 1949), poet, writer, editor, publisher and academic
• Reuben Chirambo (d. 2011), scholar of African literature^[24]
• Robert Chiwamba, poet^[25]
• Tobias Dossi, author of a novel (1958) and humorous short stories (1965) in Chichewa.
• Aloysius Dziko, author of a novel in Chichewa (1965).^[26]
• Walije Gondwe (b. 1936), Malawi's first female novelist^[27]
• John Gwengwe, author of novels in Chichewa (1965, 1968).
• Aubrey Kachingwe (b. 1926), novelist and short story writer^[20]
• Lawrence Kadzitche, short story writer^[28]
• 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^[20]
• 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^[29]
• Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (b. 1962), poet and broadcaster^[30]
• 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).^[31]
• 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^[32]
• Samuel Josia Ntara or Nthara (1905–1979), novelist and historian^{[20] [33] [34]}
• D.D. Phiri (Desmond Dudwa Phiri), economist, historian and playwright^[20]
• Bonwell Kadyankena Rodgers (b. 1991), author, translator and editor^[35]
• David Rubadiri (1930–2018), diplomat, academic and poet^[20]
• 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^[36]
• Tendai M Shaba (b. 1989), author, writer and poet^[37]

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

• 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

Mauritius

See main article: List of Mauritian writers.

Morocco

See main article: List of Moroccan writers.

Mozambique

See: List of Mozambican writers

Namibia

See also: List of Namibian writers.

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^[38]
• Sara Pinto Coelho (1913–1990), fiction writer and playwright
• Caetano da Costa Alegre (1864–1890), Portuguese-language poet
• Mário Domingues (1899–1977), novelist^[39]
• Conceição Lima (1962–), Portuguese-language poet
• Manuela Margarido (1925–2007), Portuguese-language poet^[40]
• Alda do Espírito Santo (1926–2010), Portuguese-language poet
• José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet ^[41]

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
• Dada Masiti, Ashraf poet, mystic and Islamic scholar
• 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^[42]
• Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelist^[43]
• Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist
• Charles Mwewa, poet and non-fiction writer^[44]
• Princess Zindaba Nyirenda, novelist^[45]
• 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

External links

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Batswapong history revealed . Mmegi.bw . 2010-12-03 . 2011-11-11.
2. http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/author/ketty-nivyabandi "Ketty Nivyabandi"
3. [Acheikh ibn Oumar]
4. Web site: 1ère ÉDITION DES JOURNÉES TCHADIENNES AU SÉNÉGAL: Pour vivifier un héritage culturel . Lematindafrique.com . 2011-11-11.
5. Web site: Mouna-Hodan Ahmed: An author from Djibouti writing in French . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au . 2011-11-11.
6. Charles Cantalupo, Reesom Haile's poetry
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. Book: Bouchard, N . Italy and the Mediterranean: Words, Sounds, and Images of the Post-Cold War Era . Ferme, V . 2013 . Springer . 978-1137343468.
9. Web site: Peggy Lucie Auleley: lauréate du concours ACCT . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au . 1999-06-03 . 2011-11-11.
10. Book: Toman, Cheryl . Women Writers of Gabon: Literature and Herstory . xxviii . 2016 . Lexington Books . 978-1498537216.
11. Web site: Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au . 2011-11-11.
12. Web site: Justine Mintsa: An author from Gabon writing in French . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au . 2011-11-11.
13. Web site: Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang: An author from Gabon writing in French . Aflit.arts.uwa.edu.au . 2003-09-19 . 2011-11-11.
14. Albert S. Gérard, European-Language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa: Volume 1, p. 286.
15. [Margaret Busby]
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. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/jan-june11/libyapoet_03-02.html Benghazi-Born Poet Mattawa Reflects on Growing up Under Gadhafi
18. Nyasa Times obituary Web site: Malawi writer, media trainer dies: Tito Banda | Malawi Nyasa Times – Malawi breaking news in Malawi . 8 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193501/http://www.nyasatimes.com/2014/03/11/malawi-writer-media-trainer-dies-tito-banda/ . 4 March 2016 . bot: unknown .
19. Dictionary of African Christian Biography.
20. Book: Janheinz Jahn. Ulla Schild. Almut Nordmann Seiler. Who's who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries. 1972. Horst Erdmann Verlag. 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.
24. http://www.humanities.uct.ac.za/news/tributes-reuben-chirambo Univ. of South Africa obituary
25. http://malawi24.com/2015/11/06/poet-robert-chiwamba-launches-second-album-on-sunday/ 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. Web site: News story about Kadzitche's publications. . 2021-07-24 . 2021-07-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210725045516/https://www.africanewshub.com/news/1545561-the-katakwe-evolution . dead .
29. Precious Kalolo, "Qabaniso ‘Q’ Malewezi reflects with ‘The Road Taken’" Web site: Timve Magazine » Qabaniso 'Q' Malewezi reflects with 'The Road Taken' . 8 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111110111553/http://timvemag.com/2011/06/qabaniso-%E2%80%98q%E2%80%99-malewezi-reflects-with-%E2%80%98the-road-taken%E2%80%99/ . 10 November 2011 . dead ., 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. http://mwnation.com/jolly-maxwell-ntaba/ Profile in the Daily Nation April 4, 2014
33. http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no96061711/ 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. http://mwnation.com/willie-zingani-a-writer-of-all-ages/ "Willie Zingani: A Writer of All Ages" (Profile in the Daily Nation newspaper, April 18, 2014)
37. Web site: Shaba revives poetry. 17 July 2020.
38. Web site: Palimage: Olinda Beja . Palimage.pt . 2011-11-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725001140/http://www.palimage.pt/autor.php?autorid=aut14 . 2011-07-25 .
39. Web site: Cavaleiro da Torre . Torre da História Ibérica: Admirável Mário Domingues . Torredahistoriaiberica.blogspot.com . 2004-02-27 . 2011-11-11.
40. http://www.publico.pt/Cultura/morreu-a-poetisa-saotomense-manuela-margarido_1287955 Morreu a poetisa são-tomense Manuela Margarido
41. Hans M. Zell, Carol Bundy, Virginia Coulon, A New Reader's Guide to African Literature, 1983, p. 498.
42. Elias Munshya wa Munshya, Zambia: Chibamba Kanyama’s Controversy: A Review of “Business Values for our Time”, Lusaka Times 31 October 2010.
43. Albert S. Gérard, African Language Literatures: an introduction to the literary history of Sub-Saharan Africa, 1981, p. 227.
44. Eric Gondwe, Charles Mwewa, Zambian.com.
45. Zambian Economist review.