The shortlist for the 2026 Morland African Writing Scholarships is out. This year, 20 writers were shortlisted from over 600 entries from published African writers across 32 countries. Nigeria leads the shortlist with seven writers, followed by South Africa with five.

Based in London, the Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) is a UK registered charity founded in 2013 that aims to help Africans get their voices better heard. It is particularly interested in supporting African literature and runs a yearly writing scholarship, which gives writers of fiction and non-fiction the financial freedom to complete an English-language book. Fiction writers receive a grant of £18,000 paid monthly over 12 months, while non-fiction writers who need additional research time may receive an additional grant over up to 18 months. The scholarships are open to anyone writing in English who was born in Africa, or both of whose parents were born in Africa.

According to the Foundation, the shortlist of 20 was selected using the combined scores of its experienced readers, who assess each submission purely on literary merit. While Nigeria and South Africa are always strong contenders, the Foundation said it was good to see writers from across the continent on this year’s list.

Here is the 2026 Morland African Writing Scholarships shortlist. You might see some familiar names below:

  • Krystle Zara Appiah (Ghana)
  • Tarfa Benson (Nigeria)
  • Kemi Cole (Uganda)
  • Chinenye Emezie (Nigeria)
  • Mustapha Enesi (Nigeria)
  • Marwan Hamdoun (Egypt)
  • Priya Nirmala Devi Hein (Mauritius)
  • Mikhail Ikpoma (Nigeria)
  • Sarah Juma (Nigeria)
  • Mali Kambandu (Zambia)
  • Lynne-Ann Kanaan (South Africa)
  • A’Eysha Kassiem (South Africa)
  • Fred Khumalo (South Africa)
  • Katlo Siyanda Mohutsiwa (Botswana)
  • Pulane Noxolo Mpondo (South Africa)
  • Togara Muzanenhamo (Zimbabwe)
  • Okwudili Nebeolisa (Nigeria)
  • Bengi Rwabuhemba (Uganda)
  • Tristen Taylor (South Africa)
  • Ayotola Tehingbola (Nigeria)

Several of these writers are returning to the shortlist. Priya Nirmala Devi Hein was shortlisted in 2023, A’Eysha Kassiem and Fred Khumalo in 2024, Pulane Noxolo Mpondo in both 2024 and 2025, and Togara Muzanenhamo in 2025.

The judges will select four winners from the shortlist on November 19, and the winners will be announced on November 20.

Congrats to the shortlisted writers!