List of African writers by country

Yuya ŋɔ nyɛla gbansabila tingbana ni sasabiri shɛbi ban yuya du bee n yina yuya. Di chaŋmi ti gbaigi ban nyɛ  poets, novelists, children's writers, essayists, n ti pahi  scholars, zaa yuya ni bɛ ni be gbansabila tingbani shɛli ni.

Algeria
See: Algeria sasabiribi yuya

Angola
See: List of Angolan writers

Benin
See: List of Beninese writers

Botswana

 Galesiti Baruti, novelist and academic
 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–)"Ketty Nivyabandi", World Literature Today, March 2014.

Cameroon
See: List of Cameroonian writers

Cape Verde

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 writerAcheikh ibn Oumar, Fiche de lecture de: "Fils de nomade, les mémoires du dromadaire" – Khayar Oumar Defallah , 11 February 2010.
 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 poetCharles Cantalupo, Reesom Haile's poetry 
 Saba Kidane (1978–), Tigrinya poet
 Hannah Pool (1974–), journalist
 Alemseged Tesfai (1944–), English-language playwrightJane Plastow, "Alemseged Tesfai: a playwright in the service of Eritrean liberation", in Banham et al, African theatre in development, 1999, pp. 54–60.

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, born French-language poet
 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

The Gambia

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, poetAlbert S. Gérard, European-Language Writing in Sub-Saharan Africa: Volume 1, p. 286.
 Abdulai Silla (1958–)

Kenya
See: List of Kenyan writers

Lesotho

 David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet
 Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012)Margaret Busby (ed.), Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Words and Writings by Women of African Descent from the Ancient Egyptian to the Present, London: Jonathan Cape, 1992; Vintage, 1993; pp. 275–276. 
 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
 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 journalistSuha Taji-Farouki, 'Sadiq Nayhum: An Introduction to the Life and Works of a Contemporary Libyan Intellectual', The Maghreb Review, 25:3–4 (2000), pp. 242 ff.
 Khalifa al-Fakhri, short story writerBenghazi-Born Poet Mattawa Reflects on Growing up Under Gadhafi , PBS Newshour, 2 March 2011.
 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, academicNyasa Times obituary 
 Ezra Jofiya Chadza (1923–1985), poet and novelist
 William Chafulumira (1908–1981), writer on social issuesDictionary of African Christian Biography.
 Lula Pensulo (b. 1991) author, translator, and poethttps://archive.org/details/@lula_pensulo 
 Yesaya Chibambo, author of A Short History of the Ngoni (1933), translated into English by Rev. Charles Stuart.B. Pachai, "Samuel Josiah Ntara: Writer and Historian" The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 21, No. 2 (July, 1968), pp. 60-66; page 60.
 Shadreck Chikoti (b. 1979), writer and social activist
 Steve Chimombo (1945–2015), writer, poet, editor and teacherKillam, Douglas & Ruth Rowe, eds., The Companion to African Literatures. James Currey & Indiana University Press; 2000. 
 Frank Chipasula (b. 1949), poet, writer, editor, publisher and academic
 Reuben Chirambo (d. 2011), scholar of African literatureUniv. of South Africa obituary
 Robert Chiwamba, poetMalawi 24 news 6 Nov 2015
 Tobias Dossi, author of a novel (1958) and humorous short stories (1965) in Chichewa.
 Aloysius Dziko, author of a novel in Chichewa (1965).Chimombo, Steve, (1987) "Creative Writing in Malawi: A Bibliography" Research in African Literatures, Vol. 18, No. 3, Special Issue on the Concept of National Literature (Autumn, 1987), pp. 336-339
 Walije Gondwe (b. 1936), Malawi's first female novelistLars Eckstein, ed., English Literatures Across the Globe: A Companion, p. 122-3.
 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 poetPrecious Kalolo, "Qabaniso ‘Q’ Malewezi reflects with ‘The Road Taken’" , Timeve Magazine.
 Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (b. 1962), poet and broadcasterAlfred Msadala, "A look at Bededicto Wokomaatani Malunga", Destined for great things: papers, 1999, pp. 27–8.
 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).Albert S. Gérard (1986), European-Language writing in Sub-Southern Africa, p. 962.
 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 historianWorldCat identitiesB. Pachai, "Samuel Josiah Ntara: Writer and Historian" The Society of Malawi Journal Vol. 21, No. 2 (July, 1968), pp. 60-66
 D.D. Phiri (Desmond Dudwa Phiri), economist, historian and playwright
 Bonwell Kadyankena Rodgers (b. 1991), author, translator and editorAuthor of Miyambi ya Patsokwe (Chichewa proverbs) (2015) and Mpandamachokero (Malawian tales) (2015); editor of Chisimba cha Alakatuli (anthology of Chichewa poems) (2015). 
 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"Willie Zingani: A Writer of All Ages" (Profile in the Daily Nation newspaper, April 18, 2014) .
 Tendai M Shaba (b. 1989), author, writer and poet

See: List of Malawian writers

Mali
See: List of Malian writers

Mauritania
* Ahmad ibn al-Amin al-Shinqiti (1872–1913), Arabic-language writer
 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

Mauritius

Morocco

Mozambique
See: List of Mozambican writers

Namibia

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 poetMorreu a poetisa são-tomense Manuela Margarido , Publico, 11 March 2007.
 Alda do Espírito Santo (1926–2010), Portuguese-language poet 
 José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet  Hans M. Zell, Carol Bundy, Virginia Coulon, A New Reader's Guide to African Literature, 1983, p. 498.

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 writerElias Munshya wa Munshya, Zambia: Chibamba Kanyama’s Controversy: A Review of “Business Values for our Time”, Lusaka Times 31 October 2010.
 Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelistAlbert S. Gérard, African Language Literatures: an introduction to the literary history of Sub-Saharan Africa, 1981, p. 227.
 Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist 
 Charles Mwewa, poet and non-fiction writerEric Gondwe, Charles Mwewa, Zambian.com.
 Princess Zindaba Nyirenda, novelistZambian Economist review.
 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

Nyami yaha

 African Writers Series
 Lists of authors
 International Research Confederacy on African Literature and Culture
 List of Latin American writers

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Kundivihira

External links
 25 African Women Writers
 Contemporary African writers/authors 
 Africa Resource research data
 Lire les femmes – African women writers


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