Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize ($2000)
Submit 10 Poems and Win $1,000
The Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize has opened submissions for its inaugural edition. The prize invites poets of African descent worldwide to submit original, unpublished poetry for a chance to win $1,000 and gain international recognition.
Organized by the Arole Agarawu Foundation, the prize celebrates the legacy of Chief Alhaji Arole Agarawu (1930s–1995)—a prolific West African songwriter and composer who contributed significantly to Yoruba musical traditions.
The 2026 edition theme is: “Sounding the Gong of the Black Lyric,” highlighting powerful poetic voices across the African diaspora.
Prize Details
The competition offers two major awards:
- Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize: $1,000 awarded to the overall winner selected by the guest judge.
- Arole Grayling Wraith Prize: $1,000 awarded to a poet living on the African continent.
In addition to the monetary prize, the winner of the Arole Grayling Wraith Prize will have a production-grade video of one selected poem created by Grayling and Wraith, the foundation’s media partner.
The committee will also choose a shortlist of 10 poets.
Eligibility Requirements for the Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize
To submit for the prize, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Open to poets of African descent worldwide.
- Entrants must be 18 years or older.
- Poets who have published up to two full-length poetry collections are eligible.
- Poets with three or more full-length collections are not eligible.
- Apply if you are emerging or established.
- Poems must be human-created; no AI-generated works
Submission Guidelines for the Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize
Applicants should carefully follow these rules when submitting:
- Submit 10 original, unpublished poems.
- The entire submission must not exceed 15 pages.
- Submit poems in English or accompanied by an English translation.
- Previously published work (including blogs, Substack, or social media) is not allowed.
- Submit the poems as a single Word document (.doc/.docx) or PDF.
- Do not include your name or identifying information in the manuscript.
- Only one submission per poet is allowed.
- They permit simultaneous submissions, but poets must notify the organizers if the work is accepted elsewhere.
Important Dates
- Submissions Open: February 28, 2026
- Submissions Close: May 31, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
- Shortlist Announcement: To be announced
- Winner Announcement: To be announced
Shortlist and Winner Obligations
Shortlisted poets agree to:
- Allow the foundation to publish at least three poems from their submission on its website and promotional materials.
- Provide a 250-word biography and high-resolution photograph.
Prize winners must also:
- Participate in media interviews and promotional activities.
- Provide necessary tax documentation for prize disbursement.
Importantly, copyright remains with the poet, although the foundation retains first publication rights for shortlisted poems.
About the Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize
The Prize honors the creative legacy of Chief Alhaji Arole Agarawu, whose lyrical contributions helped shape Yoruba musical traditions including Sakara, Apala, and Waka. Despite his influence, he was never formally credited during his lifetime. The prize aims to ensure that contemporary poets receive the recognition and visibility they deserve.
How to Apply
Interested poets can submit their work through the official submission portal below:
Deadline: May 31, 2026
