The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) has announced the finalists for the 2025 Nommo Awards, celebrating the best in African speculative fiction published between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024. Now in its eighth year, the awards continue to recognize and honor the vibrant voices shaping the landscape of African science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

This year’s shortlist reveals a remarkable diversity of storytelling across four categories: the Ilube Award for Best Novel, Best Novella, Best Graphic Novel, and Best Short Story. The finalists represent authors from across the African continent and diaspora, showcasing the global reach and influence of African speculative fiction.

Notable among the selections for the novel category is Tlotlo Tsamaase’s Womb City, which has garnered international attention, and Nikhil Singh’s Dakini Atoll, making his third Nommo Awards appearance following previous nominations for Taty Went West and Club Ded.

The graphic novel category demonstrates the growing strength of African comics and visual storytelling, with collaborative works from established creators like Murewa Ayodele and Dotun Akande, whose creative partnership has produced multiple award-nominated titles including the Glyph-nominated Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods.

In the short story category, the finalists showcase the breadth of contemporary African speculative fiction, with works published in prestigious platforms like Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, and Cast of Wonders, highlighting the increasing recognition of African voices in international speculative fiction markets.

The diverse range of themes and subgenres represented, from cyberpunk and space opera to African mythology and body horror, reflects the dynamic evolution of African speculative fiction as a literary movement that continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony later this year, continuing the Nommo Awards’ tradition of celebrating excellence in African speculative storytelling.

2025 Ilube Award for Best Novel Finalists

The Smoke That Thunders by Erhu Kome
Norton Young Readers, 2024

Dakini Atoll by Nikhil Singh
Luna Press Publishing, 2024

The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus by Umar Abubakar Sidi
Masobe, 2024

Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase
Kensington, 2024

2025 Novella Finalists

The Year of Return by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
Android Press, 2024

In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran
Titan Books, 2024

Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Tor Publishing Group, 2024

The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar
Tordotcom, 2024

2025 Graphic Novel Finalists

Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods by Dotun Akande and Murewa Ayodele
Oni Press, 2025

Celestial Eyes by John Uche and Francis
The Machine Publishing, 2024

You Have Ten Years by Murewa Ayodele, Mamode Ogbewele, Dotun Akande, and Samuel Iwunze
Collectible Comics NG, 2024

2025 Short Story Finalists

Bodies of Sand and Blood by Plangdi Neple
Cast of Wonders, 2024

From Across Time by Chisom Umeh
Clarkesworld, 2024

The Future Ancients by Mwenya Chikwa
WTBAP, 2024

Warning Notes from an Annihilator Machine by Damilola Oyedotun
Lightspeed, 2024