DAR ES SALAAM: The Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature has announced the seven shortlisted manuscripts across three categories — fiction, poetry, and short story collections — ahead of its 10th-anniversary awards ceremony on 24 July in Dar es Salaam.
The Prize is supported by Safal Group, through its subsidiaries Mabati Rolling Mills of Kenya and ALAF Tanzania.
The Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature was founded in 2014 by Dr Lizzy Attree and Dr Mukoma wa Ngũgĩ to recognize writing in African languages and encourage translation from, between, and into African languages.
This year’s awards mark the prize’s 10th anniversary; it has been awarded every year since 2015, except in 2020, when the awards were paused due to the global Covid pandemic.
Speaking at the short list announcement press conference, ALAF Limited Head of External Affairs Ms Hawa Bayumi said “as we announce today’s shortlist, we are also proud that we are celebrating 10 year’s anniversary of the prize, a mark of commitment by the Safal Group and its subsidiaries ALAF Limited in Tanzania and Mabati Rolling Mills in Kenya”
“We appreciate all stakeholders who have walked with us in this great journey. We further look forward yo continued and greater collaborations as we all contribute towards the spread and growth of Kiswahili language globally” she added
The shortlisted candidates will compete to win the following prizes
Fiction 1st winner 5000 USD
Fiction runner up 2500 USD
Poetry 1st winner 5000 USD
Poetry Runner up 2500USD
Winner short stories 2500 USD
The winners will further get the opportunity to publish their winning manuscripts with the prestigious Mkuki na Nyota publishers.
In the last 10 years the prize has awarded over 150,000 USD to over 40 writers and published over 20 manuscripts into books. An important milestone in taking Kiswahili to the world.
The chair of this year’s judges’ panel, Professor Rayya Timammy from the University of Nairobi, when announcing the judges’ decision, noted that the competition for the 2025 Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature was exceptionally intense. This was due both to the large number of manuscripts received and to the exceptional talent demonstrated by the writers who submitted.
Professor Timammy added, “The panel of judges faced a significant challenge in selecting the winners because of the outstanding quality of the submitted works. This undoubtedly demonstrates that literary talent continues to grow and flourish at a remarkable pace.”
Other judges who joined Prof. Rayya Timammy in reading and nominating the manuscripts for the 2025 competition were Dkt. Masoud Mohammed of the State University of Zanzibar, and Prof. Austin Bukenya, formerly of Makerere University.
The successful categories, shortlisted works and authors are:
1. Ziaka Imetoboka – Mathew Theuri Maina (Kenya)
2. Mwanamkasi Ndio Basi – Salim Hussein Ng’anzi (Tanzania)
3. Shamba la Mawe – Dickson Damas Mtalaze (Tanzania)
4. Diwani ya Vizikwa Vya Kale – Ali Hilal Ali (Tanzania)
5. Zigo la Kichwa – Maimuna Hashim Maalim (Tanzania)
6. Rima la Miiko na Balaa – Lenard Barnaba Mtesigwa (Tanzania)
7. Mbunge Mtarajiwa na Hadithi Nyingine – Dominic Maina Oigo (Kenya)
The overall winners will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for 24th July 2026 at the Unversity of Dar es Salaam New Auditorium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Kiswahili Prize Award Criteria: The prize will be awarded to the best unpublished manuscript or book published within two years of the award year across the categories of fiction (novels and short story collections), poetry, memoir, and graphic novels.
In addition to the prizes, winning entries will also be considered for publication in Kiswahili by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers in Tanzania while the winning poetry will be translated into English and published by the African Poetry Book Fund.