# List of African writers by country

This is a list of prominent and notable writers from Africa. It includes poets, novelists, children's writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country.

## Algeria

See: List of Algerian writers

## Angola

See: List of Angolan writers

## Benin

See: List of Beninese writers

## Botswana

* Unity Dow (1959–), judge, human rights activist, writer and minister of basic education
* Bessie Head (1937–1986), novelist and short-story writer born in South Africa
* Leetile Disang Raditladi (1910–1971), playwright and poet
* Barolong Seboni (1957–), poet and academic

## Burkina Faso

See: List of Burkinabé writers

## Burundi

* Esther Kamatari (1951–)
* Ketty Nivyabandi (1978–)
* Gaël Faye (1982–)

## Cameroon

See: List of Cameroonian writers

## Central African Republic

* Pierre Makombo Bamboté (1932–), novelist and poet
* Etienne Goyémidé (1942–1997), novelist, poet and short story writer: Le Silence de la Foret
* Blaise N'Djehoya (1953–), novelist
* Cyriaque Robert Yavoucko (1953–), novelist
* Adrienne Yabouza (1965–), novelist

## Chad

* Salma Khalil Alio (1982–), poet, short story writer and artist.
* Khayar Oumar Deffalah (c. 1944–), politician and autobiographical writer
* Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar (1960–), economist and writer
* Marie-Christine Koundja (1957–), novelist and diplomat
* Koulsy Lamko (1959–), playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturer
* Joseph Brahim Seid (1927–1980), writer and politician
* Ahmat Taboye, literary critic

## Congo (Brazzaville)

See: List of Republic of the Congo writers

## Congo (Democratic Republic) – formerly Zaïre

See: List of Democratic Republic of the Congo writers

## Côte d'Ivoire

See: List of Ivorian writers

## Djibouti

* Waberi Abdourahman (1965–), novelist, poet and academic
* Mouna-Hodan Ahmed (1972–), French-language novelist

## Egypt

See: List of Egyptian writers

## Equatorial Guinea

* María Nsué Angüe (1945–2017), novelist and writer
* Justo Bolekia Boleká (1954–), professor and Bubi writer
* Juan Balboa Boneke (1938–2014), politician and writer
* Raquel Ilombé (1938–1992), Spanish-language writer
* Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel (1966–), Annobonese writer
* Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo (1950–), writer and journalist

## Eritrea

* Hamid Barole Abdu (1953–), non-fiction
* Reesom Haile (2003–), Tigrinya-language poet
* Saba Kidane (1978–), Tigrinya poet
* Hannah Pool (1974–), journalist
* Alemseged Tesfai (1944–), English-language playwright

## Ethiopia

* Sahle Selassie (c. 1795–1847)
* Haddis Alemayehu (1910–2003)
* Michael Daniel Ambatchew (1967–2012)
* Āfawarq Gabra Iyasus (1868–1947)
* Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin (1936–2006)
* Moges Kebede
* Tāddasa Lībān
* Tsehay Melaku
* Dinaw Mengestu (1978–)
* Maaza Mengiste (1974–)
* Nega Mezlekia (1958–)
* Martha Nasibù (1931–2020)
* Lemn Sissay (1967–)
* Hama Tuma (1949–)
* Mammo Wudneh (1931–2012)
* Birhānu Zarīhun (1933/4–1987)
* Nega Mezlekia (1958–)

## Gabon

* Jean-Baptiste Abessolo (1932–), educator and short story writer
* Peggy Lucie Auleley, French-language poet and novelist
* Bessora (1968–, in Belgium), novelist and short story writer
* Charline Effah (1977–), French-language novelist and educator
* Rene Maran, born near Martinique (1887–1960), poet and novelist
* Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa, French-language poet and novelist
* Justine Mintsa (1967–), French-language novelist
* Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang (1973–), French-language short story writer
* Nadia Origo (1977–), novelist and publisher
* Honorine Ngou (1957–), novelist and academic
* Vincent de Paul Nyonda (1918–1995), playwright
* Maurice Okoumba-Nkoghe (1954–), poet and teacher
* Laurent Owondo (1948–), playwright
* Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist

## Ghana

See: List of Ghanaian writers

## Guinea

See: List of Guinean writers

## Guinea-Bissau

* Amílcar Cabral (1924–1973), agronomist, writer and politician
* Vasco Cabral (1926–2005)
* José Carlos Schwarz (1949–1977), poet and musician
* Fausto Duarte (1903–1953), from Cape Verde
* Carlos Lopes (1960–)
* Hélder Proença (died 2009)
* Carlos Semedo, poet
* Abdulai Silla (1958–)

## Kenya

See: List of Kenyan writers

## Lesotho

* David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet
* Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012)
* Simon Majara (1924–), Sotho novelist
* Zakea D. Mangoaela (1883–1963), folklorist
* Thomas Mofolo (1876–1948), novelist
* A. S. Mopeli-Paulus (1913–1960), novelist
* Edward Motsamai (1870–1959), politician and writer
* Kem Edward Ntsane (1920–), Sotho poet and novelist
* Basildon Peta (1972–), journalist
* Everitt Lechesa Segoete (1858–1923), religious and social writer
* Azariele M. Sekese (1849–1930), Basotho author and historian
* Joseph I. F. Tjokosela (c.1911–), Catholic writer and teacher

## Liberia

* Edwin Barclay (1882–1955), politician and writer
* Thomas E. Besolow (c.1867–?), autobiographical writer
* Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), born in the Virgin Islands (see also Sierra Leone), educator, writer, diplomat and politician
* Jeremy Teddy Karn (1996-)
* Roland Tombekai Dempster (1910–1965), poet
* Hawa Jande Golakai (1979–)
* Bai T. Moore (1916–1988), poet, novelist, folklorist and essayist
* Wilton G. S. Sankawulo (1937–2009), politician and author
* Vamba Sherif (1973–)

## Libya

* Wafa Albueise (1973–), lawyer and writer
* Sadiq Al-Nayhum (1937–1994), Islamic writer, critic and journalist
* Khalifa al-Fakhri, short story writer
* Ahmed Fagih (1942–2019), novelist
* Muammar al-Gaddafi (1942–2011), politician and occasional novelist
* Ibrahiem El-kouni (1948–), novelist
* Latifa al-Zayyat (1923–1996), activist and novelist

## Madagascar

See: List of Malagasy writers

## Malawi

* Tito Banda (1950–2014), novelist, academic
* Ezra Jofiya Chadza (1923–1985), poet and novelist
* William Chafulumira (1908–1981), writer on social issues
* Lula Pensulo (b. 1991) author, translator, and poet
* Yesaya Chibambo, author of A Short History of the Ngoni (1933), translated into English by Rev. Charles Stuart.
* Shadreck Chikoti (b. 1979), writer and social activist
* Steve Chimombo (1945–2015), writer, poet, editor and teacher
* Frank Chipasula (b. 1949), poet, writer, editor, publisher and academic
* Reuben Chirambo (d. 2011), scholar of African literature
* Robert Chiwamba, poet
* Tobias Dossi, author of a novel (1958) and humorous short stories (1965) in Chichewa.
* Aloysius Dziko, author of a novel in Chichewa (1965).
* Walije Gondwe (b. 1936), Malawi's first female novelist
* John Gwengwe, author of novels in Chichewa (1965, 1968).
* Aubrey Kachingwe (b. 1926), novelist and short story writer
* Lawrence Kadzitche, short story writer
* Samson Kambalu (b. 1975), artist and autobiographer
* William Kamkwamba (b. 1987), inventor and author
* Gertrude Webster Kamkwatira (1966–2006), playwright
* Whyghtone Kamthunzi (1956–2000), novelist in Chichewa
* Legson Kayira (1942–2012), novelist and autobiographer
* Stanley Onjezani Kenani (b. 1976), writer and poet
* Ken Lipenga (b. 1954), politician, journalist and writer
* John Lwanda (b. 1949), biographer, poet, doctor, publisher
* Qabaniso Malewezi (b. 1979), spoken-word poet
* Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (b. 1962), poet and broadcaster
* Jack Mapanje (b. 1944), writer and poet
* Emily Mkamanga (b. 1949), novelist and social commentator
* Felix Mnthali (b. 1933), poet, novelist and playwright
* Francis Moto (b. 1952), writer, academic, and diplomat
* Sam Mpasu (b. 1945), novelist and politician; author of prison memoirs
* Edison Mpina (1946–2001), poet
* Ndongolera Mwangupili (b. 1977), poet and short story writer
* George Mwase (c.1885–1962), author of a historical account of the 1915 rebellion, published 1967 (2nd ed. 1970).
* Anthony Nazombe (1955–2004), poet and academic
* Innocent Masina Nkhonyo (b. 1987), short story writer and poet
* Jolly Max Ntaba (1946–1993), novelist in Chichewa and English
* Samuel Josia Ntara or Nthara (1905–1979), novelist and historian
* D.D. Phiri (Desmond Dudwa Phiri), economist, historian and playwright
* Bonwell Kadyankena Rodgers (b. 1991), author, translator and editor
* David Rubadiri (1930–2018), diplomat, academic and poet
* Paul Tiyambe Zeleza (b. 1955), historian, critic and writer
* Barnaba Zingani (b. 1958), novelist in Chichewa and English, teacher.
* Willie Zingani (b. 1954), novelist in English and Chichewa, journalist, poet, playwright
* Tendai M Shaba (b. 1989), author, writer and poet
See: List of Malawian writers

## Mali

See: List of Malian writers

## Mauritania

* Amadou Oumar Bâ (1917–), poet
* Ibn Razqa (died 1144 AH/1731 AD), poet and scholar
* Moussa Diagana (1946–2018), French-language writer
* Moussa Ould Ebnou (1956–), French-language novelist
* Abderrahmane Sissako (1961–), filmmaker

## Mozambique

See: List of Mozambican writers

## Niger

See: List of Nigerien writers

## Nigeria

See: List of Nigerian writers

## Rwanda

See: List of Rwandan writers

## São Tomé and Príncipe

* Olinda Beja (1946–), novelist
* Sara Pinto Coelho (1913–1990), fiction writer and playwright
* Caetano da Costa Alegre (1864–1890), Portuguese-language poet
* Mário Domingues (1899–1977), novelist
* Conceição Lima (1962–), Portuguese-language poet
* Manuela Margarido (1925–2007), Portuguese-language poet
* Alda do Espírito Santo (1926–2010), Portuguese-language poet
* José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet

## Senegal

See: List of Senegalese writers

## Seychelles

* Antoine Abel (1934–2004), poet and fable writer

## Sierra Leone

See: List of Sierra Leonean writers

## Somalia

* Abdi Sheik Abdi (1942–), U.S.-based writer
* Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, linguist and translator
* Maxamed Daahir Afrax, novelist, playwright and critic
* Elmi Boodhari (1908–1940), poet
* Ayaan Hirsi Ali (1969–), feminist and anti-Islam activist
* Ahmed Ibrahim Artan, diplomat, author and politician
* Jaamac Cumar Ciise (c.1922–2014), historian of Somali oral literature
* Waris Dirie (1965–), model and autobiographical writer
* Salaan Carrabey (1864–1943), poet
* Cristina Ali Farah (1973–), poet and novelist
* Farah Nur (1862–1932), poet and warrior
* Hussein Hasan (d. 1910s), warrior and poet
* Nuruddin Farah (1945–), novelist
* Hadrawi (1943–), poet
* Yaasiin Cismaan Keenadiid (1919–1988), literary scholar
* Abdi Kusow, scholar and writer
* Abdillahi Suldaan Mohammed Timacade (1920–1973), poet
* Nadifa Mohamed (1981–), novelist
* Gaariye (d. 2012), poet
* Mohamed Haji Mukhtar (1947–), historian and scholar
* Rageh Omaar (1967–), journalist
* Abdi Ismail Samatar (1950–), geographer
* Ahmed Ismail Samatar (1950–), writer and academic
* Dada Masiti, Ashraf poet, mystic and Islamic scholar
* Said S. Samatar (1943–), scholar and writer
* Cali Xuseen Xirsi (1946–2005), poet
* Shadya Yasin (1983/4–), poet

## South Africa

See: List of South African writers

## Sudan

See: List of Sudanese writers

## Swaziland

* Modison Salayedvwa Magagula (1958–), playwright
* Stanley Musa N. Matsebula (1958–), economist and writer
* Elias Adam Bateng Mkhonta (1954–2001), novelist
* Sarah Mkhonza (1957–), novelist, short story writer and journalist
* Gladys Lomafu Pato (1930–), short story writer

## Tanzania

See: List of Tanzanian writers

## Togo

See: List of Togolese writers

## Tunisia

See: List of Tunisian writers

## Uganda

See: List of Ugandan writers

## Western Sahara

* Mohamed Fadel Ismail Ould Es-Sweyih (1958–2002), journalist and politician
* Ahmed Baba Miské (1935–2016), writer, diplomat and politician

## Zambia

* Ellen Banda-Aaku (1965–), fiction, children's books
* Jack Avon (1967–), non-fiction, business books
* Kenneth Kaunda (1924–2021), nationalist and writer
* Chibamba Kanyama (1965–), journalist and business writer
* Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelist
* Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist
* Charles Mwewa, poet and non-fiction writer
* Princess Zindaba Nyirenda, novelist
* Field Ruwe (1955–), educator, historian, media practitioner, author (fiction and non-fiction)
* Namwali Serpell (1980–), fiction
* Monde Sifuniso (1944–), editor, publisher, author (fiction and non-fiction)
* Binwell Sinyangwe (1956–)

## Zimbabwe

See: List of Zimbabwean writers