On October 18, Cassava Republic Press, founded by Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, was awarded the first ever CANEX Prize for Publishing during the 2024 CANEX WKND for their groundbreaking novel, Female Fear Factory, which explores how fear is weaponized to control women’s bodies across the globe. 

Written by Pumla Dineo Gqola, the book intricately examines the mechanisms of patriarchal violence. Gqola utilizes global examples to highlight the various ways women are coerced into fear, whether through local, legal, or broader social contexts. The novel challenges readers to confront these deeply entrenched societal issues while offering a hopeful vision for the future.

Founded in Abuja in 2006, Cassava Republic Press operates in both Nigeria and London, dedicated to transforming global perceptions of African literature and providing a platform for diverse narratives in both fiction and non-fiction.

This inaugural CANEX Prize, sponsored by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with Narrative Landscape Press Limited, celebrates excellence in African publishing. It awards a grand prize of $20,000 to the winner and $2,000 to each finalist. The prize was open to books published by African publishers within the past year, and we look forward to seeing this wonderful initiative continue to flourish in the coming years!

Eghosa Imasuen shared on Instagram, “I spent the last year working on the CANEX Book Factory with the brilliant partners at Afreximbank’s CANEX Initiative,” adding, “I am thrilled that the judges chose this courageous book for the inaugural edition of the prize.”