Literature

In ‘Necessary Fiction,’ Eloghosa Osunde Examines What It Means to Be Queer and Free in Nigeria
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In ‘Necessary Fiction,’ Eloghosa Osunde Examines What It Means to Be Queer and Free in Nigeria

The award-winning Nigerian writer discusses the process and themes behind their second novel, which beautifully tackles themes of friendship, community, queerness, and building a haven in a harsh place.

13 Must-Read Books by Black South African Women Writers
Arts + Culture

13 Must-Read Books by Black South African Women Writers

These 13 powerful books by Black South African women writers offer a compelling lens on Black women’s complex realities and triumphs in today’s world.

The African Literature Ecosystem Used to Be Unstoppable. What Went Wrong?
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The African Literature Ecosystem Used to Be Unstoppable. What Went Wrong?

The late 2000s to late 2010s were an era of vibrant publications, literary prizes, and the emergence of incredible literary talents. All that has been replaced with a loss of community and dwindling literary spaces.

Nigerian author Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo poses for a portrait shot in a blue shirt and long black braids.
News

In Her Debut Novel, Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo Expands the Nigerian Immigrant Experience

‘The Tiny Things Are Heavier’ is a stirring and masterfully delivered bildungsroman that follows a young Nigerian woman as she tries to make sense of her new life and what exactly she wants from it.

Karam Youssef, wearing a grey pullover, is standing in the entrance of her bookshop. Above her head, a red sign reads “Al Kotob Khan” in Arabic.
What It's Like To...

What It’s Like To … Run a Publishing House and Bookstore in Cairo

Karam Youssef has built and maintained a cultural oasis in the book business for nearly two decades, publishing Arabic language books and translations of literary quality and sociopolitical relevance in Egypt.

Siphiwe Tshabalala of South Africa celebrates after scoring the opening goal while Ricardo Osorio and goalkeeper Oscar Perez of Mexico look dejected during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group A match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 11, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Video

15 Years of OkayAfrica, 15 Defining Moments in Pop Culture, Innovation and Activism

From Afrobeats going global to groundbreaking films, creative innovation, and youth-led protest movements, this video dives into the African moments that have defined the continent’s identity and transformation since OkayAfrica launched in 2010.

Eight Wonderful African Books that Center Queer Experiences
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Eight Wonderful African Books that Center Queer Experiences

A growing canon of books continues to strengthen the validity of the lives and loves of queer people in Africa. Here are some recommendations.

The Intergenerational Influence of Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong’o
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The Intergenerational Influence of Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong’o

The great Kenyan author left behind one of the most iconic legacies in world literature. OkayAfrica explores why he’s an enduring man of letters and speaks to writers he influenced.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o sits at a table signing a book during a public event, with a banner behind him displaying “Weep Not, Child Book Signing by Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o” and a crowd of people gathered in the background.
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A Reading List: 10 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o Works You Should Know

A look at the novels, essays, and poems that made the late Kenyan writer one of the most influential literary and political voices of the 20th and 21st centuries.

What It’s Like To … Build and Run a Pan-African Bookstore in Nairobi
What It's Like To...

What It’s Like To … Build and Run a Pan-African Bookstore in Nairobi

Kenya’s Muthoni Muiruri on co-founding Soma Nami, Nairobi’s only female-owned Pan-African bookstore, and creating space for African literature to thrive.

How Noname's Book Club is Bridging the Black Diaspora
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How Noname's Book Club is Bridging the Black Diaspora

The Chicago rapper's community-centered book club has expanded from U.S. prisons to Kenya and Nigeria, creating spaces for Black readers to connect through literature.

This Creative Couple Is Encouraging People to Read African Mythology
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This Creative Couple Is Encouraging People to Read African Mythology

Through art and storytelling, Adwoa Botchey and Solomon Adebiyi are reclaiming narratives from across the continent.

​Djaili Amadou Amal in front of a bookshelf, looking directly at the camera and wearing a saffron colored dress, henna-adorned arms, and golden jewelry.
News

Djaili Amadou Amal Puts Women First

The acclaimed author and activist speaks with OkayAfrica about her multicultural African upbringing, her writing that challenges the virtue of female patience, and her vision for a future where feminist activism is no longer needed.

A woman in traditional dress stands at a microphone at an official looking event.
News

War Sparks New Spoken-Word Poetry Movement in Cameroon

In conflict-torn Anglophone regions, young spoken-word artists use poetry to process trauma and advocate for dialogue in Cameroon's nine-year civil conflict.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie attends the Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards at Cines Callao on October 28, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.
News

Chimamanda Adichie’s 'Dream Count' Makes Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist on Release Day

All four of the Nigerian author’s novels have now been on the longlist for the prestigious literary fiction prize.

Menna Shanab wearing a green and white jersey, smiling in a conference room full of chairs.
News

What Stories Are on North African Journalists' Radars in 2025?

Three stories from Morocco, Algeria and Egypt are anticipated to be major cultural moments in 2025, from Sudan's football surge to Libya's arts renaissance and the region's evolving music scene.

Person in white shirt arranging hair, standing by shelves of colorful dinnerware.
News

Kiano Moju on ‘Africali’ and Redefining African Cuisine Globally

The chef and food media star shares how her debut cookbook celebrates her Kenyan and Nigerian roots–as well as her California upbringing–through accessible, globally inspired recipes.

A collection of books by African authors with colorful covers.
Arts + Culture

Review This Year in Books With the Best African Literature of 2024

Brittle Paper has unveiled their yearly celebration of the best African storytelling: 100 books that made an impact across genres and countries.