The Island Prize for a Debut Novel from Africa 2025 shortlist was made public on Monday, May 5, 2025.
The Island Prize for a Debut Novel from Africa is from Holland House Books (UK), Karavan Press (SA), and Booker Prize longlistee Karen Jennings. It aims to give writers from Africa (or the diaspora) a chance to showcase their work to a wider audience, with the possibility of feedback, mentoring, meeting with a potential agent, and publication (both in the UK and South Africa). Previous winners have been Reem Gaafar (2023) and Simbarashe Steyn Kundizeza (2024).
From the 150 entries, the longlist was made public on Monday, March 24, before the shortlist was revealed on Monday.
Award organisers announced the shortlist, saying, “So incredibly pleased to announce our bumper shortlist of 5 this year for The Island Prize. These are wonderful writers, worthy of being recognised! Congratulations to all of them.”
The shortlisted stories are;
- A Small Patch of Earth, Azags Agandaa (Ghana)
- A Dream Bewitched, Izzy Agu (Rwanda/Nigeria)
- Love Across Borders, Wame Molefhe (Botswana)
- Valley of Bones, Kristien Potgieter (South Africa)
- Night Dancer, Zabu Wamara (Uganda)
The winner will be announced at an unconfirmed date later in the year.
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