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[Gikandi] [Killam & Rowe]
Leetile Disang Raditladi (1910–1971), playwright and poet[Jahn]
Barolong Seboni (1957–), poet and academic[Jahn]

Burkina Faso

See: List of Burkinabé writers

Burundi

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

Cameroon

See: List of Cameroonian writers

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

Pierre Makombo Bamboté (1932–), novelist and poet[Gikandi]
Etienne Goyémidé (1942–1997), novelist, poet and short story writer: Le Silence de la Foret[Gikandi]
Blaise N'Djehoya (1953–), novelist[Killam & Rowe]
Cyriaque Robert Yavoucko (1953–), novelist[Gikandi]
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[Jahn]
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[Gikandi]
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[Gikandi]
Raquel Ilombé (1938–1992), Spanish-language writer
Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel (1966–), Annobonese writer[Gikandi]
Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo (1950–), writer and journalist[Gikandi]

Eritrea

Hamid Barole Abdu (1953–), non-fiction
Beyene Haile (1941–2012), Tigrinya-language writer and poet
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[Gikandi]
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[Gikandi]
Laurent Owondo (1948–2019), playwright[Gikandi]
Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist[Gikandi]

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, poet
Abdulai Silla (1958–)

Kenya

See: List of Kenyan writers

Lesotho

David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet[Jahn]
Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012) [Jahn]
Simon Majara (1924–), Sotho novelist[Jahn]
Zakea D. Mangoaela (1883–1963), folklorist[Jahn]
Thomas Mofolo (1876–1948), novelist[Jahn]
A. S. Mopeli-Paulus (1913–1960), novelist
Edward Motsamai (1870–1959), politician and writer[Jahn]
Kemuel Edward Ntsane (1920–1983), Sotho poet and novelist[Jahn]
Basildon Peta (1972–), journalist
Everitt Lechesa Segoete (1858–1923), religious and social writer[Jahn]
Azariele M. Sekese (1849–1930), Basotho author and historian[Jahn]
Joseph I. F. Tjokosela (c. 1911–?), Catholic writer and teacher[Jahn]

Liberia

Edwin Barclay (1882–1955), politician and writer
Thomas E. Besolow (c.1867–?), autobiographical writer[Jahn]
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[Jahn]
Hawa Jande Golakai (1979–)
Bai T. Moore (1916–1988), poet, novelist, folklorist and essayist[Jahn] [Killam & Rowe]
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[Gikandi]
Muammar al-Gaddafi (1942–2011), politician and occasional novelist
Ibrahiem El-kouni (1948–), novelist[Gikandi]
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 [better source needed]
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 (1926–2010s), 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 (1949–2021), novelist and social commentator
Felix Mnthali (b. 1933), poet, novelist and playwright
Francis Moto (b. 1952), writer, academic, and diplomat
Sam Mpasu (1945–2018), 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 (1954–2024), 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

[a]* 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[Jahn]
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[Gikandi] [Jahn]
José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet[Gikandi] [Jahn]

Senegal

See: List of Senegalese writers

Seychelles

Antoine Abel (1934–2004), poet and fable writer[Gikandi]

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[Killam & Rowe]
Hadrawi (1943–2022), 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 (1943–2015), 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[Gikandi]
Stanley Musa N. Matsebula (1958–), economist and writer[Gikandi]
Elias Adam Bateng Mkhonta (1954–2001), novelist[Gikandi]
Sarah Mkhonza (1957–), novelist, short story writer and journalist[Gikandi]
Gladys Lomafu Pato (1930–), short story writer[Gikandi]

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[Gikandi]
Chibamba Kanyama (1965–), journalist and business writer
Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–?), diplomat and novelist
Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist[Gikandi] [Killam & Rowe]
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–)