The 9mobile Prize for Literature was created by Etisalat Nigeria in 2013. It was the first prize in Africa for a first-time novel or short story collection. The prize is given every year to find new writers and help the publishing industry in Africa grow. The winner receives £15,000 in cash and a special opportunity to study at the University of East Anglia.
The prize also helps publishers by buying 1,000 copies of all books that are shortlisted. These books are given to schools, book clubs, and libraries across Africa.
The award was first called the Etisalat Prize for Literature. In 2017, Etisalat Nigeria changed its name to 9mobile, and the prize was renamed to match.
Entry and prize
The 9mobile Prize for Literature was aimed at new African writers who had published their first fiction book (more than 30,000 words) in the last two years. Any book genre was allowed, as long as it was written in English or translated into English.
The winner of the 9mobile Prize for Literature received £15,000 and a Fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where they were guided by Professor Giles Foden. The winner and shortlisted writers also received a Samsung Galaxy Note and an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen. All finalists took part in a book tour through three African cities, supported by 9mobile.
The 9mobile Prize was managed by a group of literary leaders. These leaders included:
- Margaret Busby, writer, editor, and publisher
- Ama Ata Aidoo, writer, playwright, and academic
- Dele Olojede, journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner
- Ellah Wakatama Allfrey, editor and literary critic
- Kole Omotoso, writer
- Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer and academic
- Zakes Mda, novelist and playwright
Award history
A blue ribbon ( ) means the winner of an award.
In 2014, a list of nine books was made public in November. A shorter list of three books was shared on 23 January 2014. The winner was announced on 23 February 2014, and the award ceremony happened on 2 March 2014 at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Yewande Omotoso (South Africa), Bom Boy (Modjaji Books, South Africa)
- Karen Jennings (South Africa), Finding Soutbek (Holland Park Press, UK)
- NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), We Need New Names (Little, Brown and Company / Chatto & Windus, UK)
The judges in 2013 were:
• NoViolet Bulawayo, first winner of the 9mobile Prize, 2013 Zakes Mda, novelist and playwright
• Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer and academic
• Pumla Dineo Gqola, writer and academic
• Billy Kahora, writer and editor of Kwani?
In 2015, a longlist of nine books was announced in November. A shortlist of three books was shared in December. The winner was announced on 15 March 2015 at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, Nigeria.
- Nadia Davids (South Africa), An Imperfect Blessing (Random House Struik-Umuzi, South Africa)
- Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria), Happiness, Like Water (Granta Books, UK)
- Songeziwe Mahlangu (South Africa), Penumbra (Kwela Books, imprint of NB Publishers, South Africa)
The 2014 judges were:
• Sarah Ladipo Manyika (chair)
• Alain Mabanckou
• Jamal Mahjoub
• Tsitsi Dangarembga
In 2016, a longlist of nine books was announced on 3 December. A shortlist of three books was shared on 8 March. The winner was announced on 19 March.
- Penny Busetto (South Africa), The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself (Jacana Media, South Africa)
- Fiston Mwanza Mujila (Democratic Republic of Congo), Tram 83, translated by Roland Glasser (Deep Vellum, USA)
- Rehana Rossouw (South Africa), What Will People Say (Jacana Media, South Africa)
The 2015 judges were:
• Ato Quayson (chair)
• Molara Wood
• Zukiswa Wanner
In 2017, a longlist of nine books was announced on 23 November. A shortlist of three books was shared on 5 January. The winner was announced on 20 May.
- Jacqui L’Ange (South Africa), The Seed Thief (Umuzi Publishers, South Africa)
- Jowhor Ile (Nigeria), And After Many Days (Kachifo Limited, Nigeria)
- Julie Iromuanya (Nigeria), Mr & Mrs Doctor (Coffee House Press, USA)
The 2016 judges were:
• Helon Habila (chair)
• Edwige-Renée Dro
• Elinor Sisulu
No award was given in 2017. In August 2017, the prize was renamed the 9mobile Prize.
In 2018, a shortlist of three books was chosen in January. The winner was announced on 8 August 2019.
- Lesley Nneka Arimah (Nigeria), What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky
- Marcus Low (South Africa), Asylum
- Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (Nigeria), Stay with Me (Ouida Books)
The judges for the 2018 edition were Professor Harry Garuba (chair), Doreen Baingana, and Siphiwo Mahala.
Announcement of resignation of patrons
The original supporters of the prize, which was created in 2012 as the Etisalat Prize for Literature, announced their decision to leave the award in July 2019.