Translation is an important part of African literature, and for the first time, we made it a key focus of our 100 Notable African Books list. In the past, translations made it onto the list just by chance—because the books themselves were exceptional. This year, we made a point to highlight them. Why? Because translation matters more than ever, especially in a place as linguistically diverse as Africa.

The 2024 list features translations from French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Swahili. Africa is home to so many languages, and while this is one of our biggest strengths, it also creates challenges. Books written in one language often remain stuck there, unable to reach readers in other parts of the continent or beyond. Without translation, so much gets lost—important stories, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world.

Right now, African literature is booming. So many books are being written and published, but sometimes it feels like we’re still worlds apart, just because we don’t share the same languages. Translation can fix that. It helps connect people, build understanding, and bring stories to readers who might never have had access to them. It’s also a creative process in its own right—translation isn’t just copying a story from one language to another; it’s about reimagining it in a way that works for new readers.

That said, translation is not easy—or cheap. It takes time, skill, and money, and the publishing world doesn’t always prioritize it. This is why we need more resources: prizes, workshops, training programs, and residencies that support translators and publishers. We also need to push for translations that go beyond European languages and focus on African languages, too. Imagine how many incredible stories could find new audiences if we did.

This year, we want to give a special shout out to publishers and translators who work in that space: the likes of Bakwa Books, Deep Vellum, and Hoopoe. Kudos! Check out these translations titles, drawn from the 100 Notable Books of 2024. Everyone involved to bring these books to the world deserve to be celebrated!