ALAF launches 10th Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature

DAR ES SALAAM: The Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature 2025 has been officially launched, with organisers inviting writers to submit manuscripts for consideration.

The 2025 competition marks the 10th edition of the prize since it was established in 2015.

The award is sponsored by ALAF Limited of Tanzania and Mabati Rolling Mills of Kenya, both subsidiaries of Safal Investments Mauritius Limited.

Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam, ALAF Tanzania External Affairs Manager Hawa Bayumi said the prize had continued to attract growing participation from writers across Africa and beyond.

She said more than 3,000 manuscripts have been submitted since the prize was introduced, with 29 writers having won awards in different categories.

Of the winning entries, 22 manuscripts have already been published by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, while publication of the remaining works is ongoing.

The 2025 edition will feature three categories: fiction, poetry and short stories. In the fiction and poetry categories, first-place winners will receive 5,000 US Dollars, while second-place winners will receive 2,500 US Dollars.

The short story category will have one winner, who will receive 2,500 US Dollars.

Submissions open today and will close on 30 March 2026, after which entries will be reviewed by judges. Winners are expected to be announced at an award ceremony scheduled for July 2026.

The Safal Kiswahili Prize was founded in 2014 by Dr Lizzy Attree, former director of the Caine Prize for African Writing, and Dr Mukoma wa Ngugi of Cornell University. The prize aims to recognise creative writing in African languages and promote translation within and between African languages.

Also speaking at the event, Institute of Kiswahili Studies representative Dr Ramadhan Kadallah said the prize had played an important role in promoting Kiswahili literature and research, adding that the institute would continue working with the organisers.

A previous winner, Bashiru Abdallah, encouraged writers to submit high-quality manuscripts, noting that the prize also offers opportunities for networking and exchange among writers.