Celebrating African Fiction! | Official Photos from The Etisalat Prize Award Ceremony

Writers, celebrities, and Lagos socialites trouped to the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate contemporary African literature on March 15th.

It was a fun-filled evening of music, dancing, and theatrical performances.

South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlungu took the 15,000 pound prize home, making his novel Penumbra the best debut novel by an African author.

Angelique Kidjo stole the show with her electrifying performance. Zimbabwean novelist, Tsitsi Dangaremgba, was the break out star of the night with her killer dance moves.

Wole Soyinka embodied grace and literary pedigree as he sat among the audience sharing in the celebration of a literary tradition he helped create.

Etisalat is the communications company sponsoring the Award. Matthew Wilsher, the C.E.O of Etisalat, was at the event, looking dapper in a classic buba and sokoto.

Sarah Ladipo-Manyinka, who chaired the panel of judges, stunned in a floor-length floral dress with a front slit.

But my favorite look of the evening was Chibundu Onuzo’s little black dress paired with a multi-colored purse and a pair of ivory pumps.

Nigerian celebrities came out in support. Dare Art Alade, Ebuka Uchendu, Mai Atafor and others seemed very at home as they mingled with writers and academics.

The award ceremony was all about celebrating African fiction and having fun while doing it.

Angelique Kidjo’s pretty epic dance moves.

Tsitsi Dangaremgba rocking the dance floor.