Prix Ivoire for African Literature 2024 finalists announced

The finalists for Prix Ivoire for African Literature in Francophone Expression 2024 were announced on Friday, August 9, 2024.

The Prix Ivoire for African Literature in Francophone Expression or simply Prix Ivoire is a literary award created by Akwaba Culture, an Ivorian law association in 2008. Based on their intrinsic quality, it rewards works published or translated into French relating to African Literature, produced by African writers or publishers established on the continent or not. Open to writers from Africa and its Diasporas, the winner gets a two million CFA francs (about 3,000 euros) cash prize, a trophy, and attends the Geneva Book Fair. It is sponsored by the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Culture, Francophonie the International Organization of La Francophonie, the French Embassy in Abidjan, and the Librairie de France Group of Ivory Coast.

Previous winners of Prix Ivoire have been Jennifer Richard (2023),  Sami Tchak (2022), Blaise Ndala (2021), Isabelle Rochet (2019), Gauz (Armand), Côte d’Ivoire (2018), Johary Ravaloson (Madagascar) (2017), Marijosé Alie (Martinique) (2016), Kettly Mars (Haïti) (2015), Bahaa Trabelsi (Maroc) (2014), Hemley Boum (Cameroun) (2013), Mariama N’doye (Sénégal) (2012), Frédéric Grah Mel (Côte d’Ivoire) (2011), Elisabeth Ewombè-Moundo (Cameroun) (2010), Tiburce Koffi (Côte d’Ivoire) (2009), and Racine Kane (Sénégal) (2008).

The 2024 journey has begun with the announcement of the finalists from the 76 titles from 16 countries that were submitted. The five novels are;

1. Les Femmes de Bidibidi, Charline Effah (Gabon), Emmanuelle Colas, 2023
2. Malentendues, Azza Filali (Tunisie), éd. Elyzad, 2024
3. Zakoa, Hary Rabary (Madagascar), éd. Dodo Vole, 2023
4. Ames tembé, Marie-George Thébia (Guyane), éd. Feed Back, 2023,  
5. Le Violon d’Adrien, Gary Victor (Haïti), éd. Mémoire d’Encrier, 2024,

Like in previous years, the chairperson of the final jury selecting the winner is writer and playwright Werewere-Liking. That winner will be announced on October 18 before being conferred in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Please support our work at Writing Africa with a one-off donation or regularly on Mobile Money, PayPal, or Patreon starting at US$3 a month by clicking here.