In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Caine Prize for African Writing has announced a special one-time award, the Best of Caine Award, which will honor the most exceptional short story to have won the Prize since its inception in 2000.

The Best of Caine Award marks a departure from the Prize’s traditional annual cycle. This year, three judges will decide on the best short story to have won the Caine Prize for African Writing in its 25 years (2000 – 2024). This special contest features 25 previous winners, selected from a remarkable cohort of writers who have gone on to shape contemporary African literature:

    1. Leila Aboulela (Sudan) for The Museum
    2. Helon Habila  (Nigeria) for Love Poems
    3. Binyavanga Wainaina (Kenya) for Discovering Home
    4. Yvonne Owuor (Kenya) for Weight of Whispers
    5. Brian Chikwava (Zimbabwe) for Seventh Street Alchemy
    6. Segun Afolabi (Nigeria) for Monday Morning
    7. Mary Watson (South Africa) for Jungfrau
    8. Monica Arac de Nyeko (Uganda) for Jambula Tree
    9. Henrietta Rose-Innes (South Africa) for Poison
    10. EC Osondu (Nigeria) for Waiting
    11. Olufemi Terry (Sierra Leone) for Stickfighting Days
    12. NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) for Hitting Budapest
    13. Rotimi Babatunde (Nigeria) for Bombay’s Republic
    14. Tope Folarin (Nigeria) for Miracle
    15. Okwiri Oduor (Kenya) for My Father’s Head
    16. Namwali Serpell (Zambia) for The Sack
    17. Lidudumalingani (South Africa) for Memories We Lost
    18. Bushra al-Fadil (Sudan) for The Story of the Girl whose Birds Flew Away
    19. Makena Onjerika (Kenya) for Fanta Blackcurrant
    20. Lesley Nneka Arimah (Nigeria) for Skinned
    21. Irenosen Okojie (Nigeria) for Grace Jones
    22. Meron Hadero (Ethiopia) for The Street Sweep
    23. Idza Luhumyo (Kenya) for Five Years Next Sunday
    24. Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo (Senegal) for A Soul of Small Places
    25. Nadia Davids (South Africa) for Bridling

Since its establishment, the Caine Prize has recognized (via its shortlist, winners, annual award and £10,000 prize purse) over 120 talented authors. The award continues to be a beacon for African writers whose work pushes boundaries and reshapes narratives.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Prize will also collaborate with partners to deliver online and in-person events across the continent and diaspora, spotlighting Caine Prize  alumni and their continued contribution to the literary canon. Further details about these events, as well as the panel of judges for the Best of Caine Award, will be revealed in the coming months.

Founded in memory of Sir Michael Caine, the Caine Prize for African Writing remains one of the most prestigious recognitions for African short fiction. Patrons include Nobel laureates Wole Soyinka and J.M. Coetzee, and the Prize is currently chaired by Ellah Wakatama OBE.

The winner of the Best of Caine Award will be announced later this year, with the Prize expected to return to its regular schedule in 2026.