The University of Georgia Press has announced African Language Literatures in Translation (ALLT), a series dedicated to bringing African literary works–both classic and contemporary–written in indigenous languages to English-speaking audiences.

According to the press, the majority of works selected for the series are already in circulation in their original languages but have yet to be made available in English. To that end, UGA Press is working closely with Africa-based publishers and literary organizations to ensure that translated editions are accessible and affordably priced across the continent. The series aims to overcome the challenges of accessing African literature, particularly works originally written in indigenous and underrepresented languages.

Christopher Ernest Ouma, an associate professor of English at Duke University, and Alexander Fyfe, assistant professor of comparative literature and African studies at the University of Georgia will serve as the series editors.

The announcement notes that “African literature is having a moment that demands acknowledgment,” with Ouma adding: “The time is right for an initiative that publishes and promotes essential works of world literature written in African languages.”

The goal is not only to make African literature more accessible, but to also encourage the teaching of African literature in English-speaking classrooms. To this end, the series will also provide resources for instructors that will allow them to contextualize these works for their students.

Fyfe highlights the educational value of the initiative. “As a teacher of modern African literatures, I’ve often felt frustration that so few works of African-language writing are readily available in translation for use in the classroom,” Fyfe notes. “With this series, we want to create a sustainable venue for translations of African-language writing that makes texts available to Anglophone readerships, while contributing positively and responsibly to the publishing and translation ecosystems that already support African writing.”

UGA Press Editor-in-Chief Nathaniel Holly expressed both pride and a sense of duty in launching the series. “African Language Literatures in Translation is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility for the University of Georgia Press,” Holly said. “With Alex Fyfe and Chris Ouma at the editorial helm, ALLT will publish writers based both on the African continent and in its diasporas to help create translational connections between writers and readers. While the works published in this series should have been available to English-reading audiences long ago, we are honored to play even a small part in getting this wealth of essential and exciting literature to many new readers around the world.”

The series has already garnered praise from important voices in African literary studies. Ignatius Mabasa, author of Mapenzi, spoke to the deeper implications of literary translation: “I actually see the translation into English as a gain against Western hegemony. . . Instead of an African story being forced by the capitalist world system and globalization into English, the translation is a sign of respect to Shona people in wanting to understand their worldview and the issues that trouble them.”

Stephanie Newell, Chair of the Council on African Studies at Yale University, echoed the sentiment, calling the series “both timely and decades overdue,” and recognizing its potential to “transform the field of African literary studies.”

As of now, the series is set to publish the following titles (in order of tentative publication beginning Spring 2026):

The Mad, Ignatius T. Mabasa. Translated from the Shona by J. Tsitsi Mutiti.

The Swallowers of Bones, Ali Hilal Ali. Translated from the Kiswahili by Meg Arenberg.

They Are Us, Katama Mkangi. Translated from the Kiswahili by Richard Prins.

Left Behind, Ntšeliseng ’Masechele Khaketla. Translated from the Sesotho by Makafane Tšepang Ntlamelle.

New Virus, Halfani Sudy. Translated from the Kiswahili by Jay Boss Rubin.

The advisory board for the series includes both scholars and novelists from around the world:

Ntone Edjabe, Chimurenga Magazine (South Africa)

Munyao Kilolo, Ituĩka (USA)

Madhu Krishnan, University of Bristol (UK)

Carmen McCain, SOAS University of London (UK)

Kimani Njogu, Twaweza Communications (Kenya)

Lola Shoneyin, poet and novelist (Nigeria)

Clarissa Vierke, Universität Bayreuth (Germany)

Dzekashu MacViban, Bakwa Books (Cameroon)

As the African Language Literatures in Translation series takes shape, the University of Georgia Press invites scholars, translators, and authors to contribute to this groundbreaking series. Inquiries about publishing can be directed to Nathaniel Holly at [email protected] or to the series editors [email protected] and [email protected].