The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an initiative by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has announced the second edition of the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa. The prestigious award, which celebrates excellence in African publishing, is now open for submissions from African publishers of trade books. The initiative underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to fostering the continent’s creative economy and amplifying its cultural voice on the global stage.
The CANEX Book Factory Prize, developed in partnership with Narrative Landscape Press Limited, aims to recognise and reward outstanding contributions by African publishers and authors to the literary world. The inaugural edition of the prize in 2024 saw Nigeria’s Cassava Republic Press take home the top honour for Pumla Dineo Gqola’s groundbreaking work, Female Fear Factory: Unveiling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence. This year, the prize fund totals $28,000, with $20,000 awarded to the winner and $2,000 each to four finalists.
The prize is open to trade books published by Africa-based publishers in the year preceding the award. Submissions must be in one or more of the African Union’s official languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili or any other indigenous African language. Entries will be evaluated based on the quality of writing, editing, and production, with priority given to books printed and produced on the African continent. Publishers are encouraged to submit works in indigenous African languages, reflecting the initiative’s goal of promoting linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, emphasized the importance of the prize in celebrating African publishing excellence. “Through the CANEX Book Factory, we aim to put a spotlight on the enormous contribution of African authors and publishers to Africa’s cultural identity and economy,” she said. “This initiative is a testament to our commitment to nurturing literary talent and strengthening the publishing value chain across the continent.”
The CANEX Book Factory Prize is part of a broader annual program under Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus initiative. This year’s program will culminate in an awards ceremony at the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), scheduled to take place in Algiers, Algeria, from September 4 to 10, 2025. The IATF, Africa’s premier trade and investment event, is expected to attract over 2,000 exhibitors and generate more than $44 billion in trade and investment deals. The inclusion of the CANEX Book Factory Prize at the fair highlights the intersection of culture and commerce, showcasing the economic potential of Africa’s creative industries.
Dr Eghosa Imasuen, co-founder of Narrative Landscape Press Limited and Programme Manager for the CANEX Book Factory, expressed optimism about the second edition of the prize. “The first edition of the Prize greatly underscored the necessity of this intervention in the publishing value chain in Africa,” he said. “We are grateful to Afreximbank and CANEX for their ongoing support of African publishing. We are excited to launch this second edition and hope to see submissions from more publishers across the continent than in the inaugural edition.”
The CANEX Book Factory is more than just a prize; it is a comprehensive initiative designed to elevate the African book value chain. In addition to the publishing prize, the program includes a Pan-African writing workshop and an e-newsletter dedicated to African literature. These efforts aim to create a sustainable ecosystem for African authors, publishers, and readers, fostering a vibrant literary culture that reflects the continent’s rich diversity.
Afreximbank’s support for the creative industries aligns with its broader mandate to promote intra- and extra-African trade. Over the past three decades, the bank has played a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s trade landscape, leveraging innovative financing solutions to drive industrialization and economic growth. As a staunch supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has also launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a groundbreaking platform designed to facilitate cross-border trade and investment.
African publishers interested in submitting their works for the CANEX Book Factory Prize can register online at https://canex.africa/canex-book-factory. The submission window is open from March 17 to April 30, 2025. Publishers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their contributions to African literature and gain recognition on a continental and global scale.
As the CANEX Book Factory Prize enters its second year, it continues to shine a light on the transformative power of African storytelling. By celebrating the achievements of African publishers and authors, the initiative not only honors the continent’s literary heritage but also paves the way for a brighter future for its creative industries. For more information about Afreximbank and its initiatives, visit http://www.afreximbank.com. Follow CANEX on social media for updates on the prize and other creative industry programmes.
