The 2026 edition of the Na-La Mapambazuko Afrika Award is now open for submissions, inviting writers of African descent to submit original fiction written in Kiswahili for children aged 9–12 years.

Organized under the African Writers Awards, celebrated Tanzanian writers Nahida Esmail and Richard Mabala established the prize to encourage more engaging and imaginative fiction for young African readers.

Writers interested in developing stronger storytelling techniques can also explore these helpful resources on successful writing ideas and creative writing course lessons before preparing their entries.

About the Na-La Mapambazuko Afrika Award

They established the Award because of the shortage of quality Kiswahili fiction for older children and teenagers across Africa. The award seeks stories that are imaginative, original, and relevant to the experiences of young readers.

The competition alternates yearly between two age categories:

• Ages 9–12
• Ages 13–18

For 2026, submissions are specifically open for stories suitable for children aged 9–12 years.

Submission Guidelines for the Na-La Mapambazuko Afrika Award

Writers must follow these requirements carefully:

• Genre: Fiction
• Language: Swahili only
• Word count: 1,000–3,000 words
• Entry fee: Free
• Eligibility: Writers of African descent
• Deadline: July 1, 2026

Submissions will be disqualified if they:

• Include AI-generated content
• Have been previously published
• Retell traditional stories without originality
• Fall outside the required word count
• Include scripts, poems, song lyrics, or excerpts
• Use characters or settings from existing works

Each writer may submit only one story, and the author’s name must not appear on the manuscript file.

Prizes and Opportunities

The winner of the Na-La Mapambazuko Afrika Award will receive:

• USD 150 cash prize
• Certificate of achievement
• Mentorship from an experienced children’s author
• Introduction to a publisher
• Networking opportunities with writers across Africa

Second- and third-place winners will also receive mentorship, publishing support, and networking opportunities.

Meet the Judges

The award will be judged by acclaimed Tanzanian writers Nahida Esmail and Richard Mabala, both widely respected for their contributions to African children’s and young adult literature.

Nahida Esmail is known for award-winning books such as Living in the Shade and Karafu: A Freed Slave, while Richard Mabala is celebrated for works like Run Free and Love Bombs.

How to Submit

Interested writers can submit their stories through the official submission form.