The Canex Book Factory, an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has announced the shortlist for its inaugural Canex Prize for Publishing in Africa. According to a Canex Book Factory statement released on September 25, 2024, five publishers from three countries have been selected to compete for this prestigious award.
The shortlisted works, chosen from an impressive pool of 85 applications submitted by 45 publishers across 10 African countries, represent a diverse range of literary voices and publishing excellence.
The finalists include:
- Cassava Republic Press (Nigeria) for Female Fear Factory: Unravelling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence by Pumla Dineo Gqola
- Jacana Media (South Africa) for Paperless by Buntu Siwisa
- Kachifo Limited (Nigeria) for Half Hour Hara by Ugo Anidi
- La Case des Lucioles (Côte d’Ivoire) for Reine Or by Fatou Sy
- Masobe Books (Nigeria) for When We Were Fireflies by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
Dr. Wale Okediran, chair of the judging panel, emphasised the rigorous selection process, stating, “We have been able to produce a shortlist of five books which we believe have met the required standard of exceptional work and professionalism.” The judges were tasked with evaluating not only the literary merit but also the physical quality of the books, considering factors such as topical relevance and editorial risk-taking.
The Canex Prize for Publishing aims to recognize and reward excellence in trade publishing on the African continent. The winner, to be announced at the upcoming Canex WKND 2024 in Algiers, Algeria, will receive a substantial cash prize of US$20,000. Each of the four runners-up will be awarded US$2,000, further incentivising quality publishing in Africa.
This initiative is part of the broader Canex Book Factory programme, which includes a Creative Writing Workshop and a dedicated newsletter. The overarching goal is to nurture a vibrant community of creatives and entrepreneurs in the African book industry, potentially opening doors for financial support from Afreximbank in line with its mandate to promote intra- and extra-African trade.
The Canex WKND 2024, scheduled for October 16-19 at the Algerian Company of Fairs and Exports (SAFEX) in Algiers, will serve as the backdrop for the prize announcement. Under the theme “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World,” the event promises to be a melting pot of ideas, fostering business-to-business and business-to-government opportunities in the creative sector.
This inaugural prize underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting cultural industries across Africa. With total assets and guarantees exceeding US$37.3 billion as of December 2023, Afreximbank continues to play a pivotal role in financing and promoting African trade and cultural exchange.
