List Of African Writers By Country
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
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[Gikandi] [Killam & Rowe]
- Leetile Disang Raditladi (1910–1971), playwright and poet[Jahn]
- Barolong Seboni (1957–), poet and academic[Jahn]
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[Gikandi]
- Etienne Goyémidé (1942–1997), novelist, poet and short story writer: Le Silence de la Foret[Gikandi]
- Blaise N'Djehoya (1953–), novelist[Killam & Rowe]
- Cyriaque Robert Yavoucko (1953–), novelist[Gikandi]
- 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[Jahn]
- 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[Gikandi]
- 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[Gikandi]
- Raquel Ilombé (1938–1992), Spanish-language writer
- Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel (1966–), Annobonese writer[Gikandi]
- Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo (1950–), writer and journalist[Gikandi]
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[Gikandi]
- 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[Gikandi]
- Laurent Owondo (1948–), playwright[Gikandi]
- Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist[Gikandi]
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[Jahn]
- Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012) [Jahn]
- Simon Majara (1924–), Sotho novelist[Jahn]
- Zakea D. Mangoaela (1883–1963), folklorist[Jahn]
- Thomas Mofolo (1876–1948), novelist[Jahn]
- A. S. Mopeli-Paulus (1913–1960), novelist
- Edward Motsamai (1870–1959), politician and writer[Jahn]
- Kem Edward Ntsane (1920–), Sotho poet and novelist[Jahn]
- Basildon Peta (1972–), journalist
- Everitt Lechesa Segoete (1858–1923), religious and social writer[Jahn]
- Azariele M. Sekese (1849–1930), Basotho author and historian[Jahn]
- Joseph I. F. Tjokosela (c.1911–), Catholic writer and teacher[Jahn]
Liberia
- Edwin Barclay (1882–1955), politician and writer
- Thomas E. Besolow (c.1867–?), autobiographical writer[Jahn]
- 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[Jahn]
- Hawa Jande Golakai (1979–)
- Bai T. Moore (1916–1988), poet, novelist, folklorist and essayist[Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]
- 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[Gikandi]
- Muammar al-Gaddafi (1942–2011), politician and occasional novelist
- Ibrahiem El-kouni (1948–), novelist[Gikandi]
- 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[Gikandi] [Killam & Rowe]
- Dorian Haarhoff (1944–), poet and academic[Killam & Rowe]
- 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[Jahn]
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[Jahn]
- 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[Gikandi] [Jahn]
- José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet[Gikandi] [Jahn]
Senegal
See: List of Senegalese writers
Seychelles
- Antoine Abel (1934–2004), poet and fable writer[Gikandi]
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[Killam & Rowe]
- 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[Gikandi]
- Stanley Musa N. Matsebula (1958–), economist and writer[Gikandi]
- Elias Adam Bateng Mkhonta (1954–2001), novelist[Gikandi]
- Sarah Mkhonza (1957–), novelist, short story writer and journalist[Gikandi]
- Gladys Lomafu Pato (1930–), short story writer[Gikandi]
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[Gikandi]
- Chibamba Kanyama (1965–), journalist and business writer
- Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelist
- Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist[Gikandi] [Killam & Rowe]
- 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
Notes
References
[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
[Killam & Rowe] Douglas Killam & Ruth Rowe, eds., The Companion to African Literatures. James Currey & Indiana University Press; 2000. ISBN 0-253-33633-3
[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
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