Sankofa Book Awards Kenya 2025 (external post)

Angolan literature continues to shine on the African literary stage, with two books by renowned Angolan authors named as finalists for the prestigious 10th edition of the Sankofa Book Awards Kenya 2025. The award ceremony, scheduled for September 26 in Nairobi, Kenya, is one of the most anticipated literary events on the continent.

Finalist Works:
“The Bantus in Mafrano’s Vision – Volume II”
Author: Maurício Francisco Caetano (widely known as Mafrano)
A historical-literary work that delves into the cultural heritage of Bantu peoples, Mafrano’s book offers both an academic and literary contribution, highlighting the importance of Bantu identities in the context of modern Africa.

“The Inmate: The Beginning and the End of an Injustice”
Author: Nituecheni Africano
This profound and emotionally charged novel recounts the harrowing journey of a prisoner wrongfully convicted, giving readers an unflinching view of the prison system and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of injustice.

According to the Sankofa Prize organizing committee, this year’s competition received over 80 submissions, representing 33 authors from 20 African publishers. The finalists were selected based on strict criteria, including:

• Literary excellence
• Originality
• Sociocultural relevance
• Contribution to contemporary African thought

One of the prize curators, speaking in a press release, emphasized that “the nomination of two Angolan works demonstrates the vitality of our national literature and its growing recognition across the continent.”

About the Sankofa Book Award:
Established in 2015, the Sankofa Book Award was created to recognize and celebrate African authors who promote historical memory, cultural identity, and literary innovation. The term Sankofa, derived from the Akan language of Ghana, means:
“Go back and fetch what was forgotten.”
It reflects the award’s mission to honor literary works that revisit, preserve, and reimagine Africa’s rich and diverse histories.

The presence of Angola among this year’s finalists is widely seen as a testament to the country’s literary renaissance and its growing influence on the international literary map.

The 2025 award ceremony in Nairobi is expected to draw authors, publishers, intellectuals, and cultural leaders from across Africa — all eager to celebrate and support the continent’s literary voices. As anticipation builds, the literary world now awaits the announcement of the winners who will take home the coveted Sankofa honors.

Author Biographies:
Maurício Francisco Caetano (Mafrano): A renowned historian, writer, and cultural advocate, Mafrano has devoted his career to preserving and promoting Bantu history and traditions. His meticulous research and engaging storytelling have established him as one of Angola’s leading intellectual voices.

Nituecheni Africano: A celebrated Angolan novelist and social commentator, his works often spotlight social injustices and human rights. His writing is known for its depth, sensitivity, and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices in African societies.

Previous Sankofa Prize Winners:

• 2024: “Voices of the Sahel” by Awa Diop (Senegal)
• 2023: “When the Baobab Falls” by Tinashe Zulu (Zimbabwe)
• 2022: “Children of the Nile” by Yared Tesfaye (Ethiopia)
• 2021: “The Forgotten Drum” by Nthabiseng Mokoena (South Africa)