The Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature has celebrated a decade of promoting African languages, creativity, and literary excellence after honouring the 2025 winners during its 10th-anniversary awards ceremony held at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The prestigious awards were presented by the Guest of Honour, Dr Riziki Pembe, Zanzibar’s Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, who praised the prize for its contribution to preserving and promoting Kiswahili literature across Africa.
Supported by Safal Group through its subsidiaries Mabati Rolling Mills (Kenya) and ALAF Tanzania, the Safal Kiswahili Prize has become one of Africa’s leading literary platforms, recognising writers who create powerful works in African languages while encouraging translation and wider global appreciation of African storytelling.
Salim Hussein Ng’anzi and Ali Hilal Ali Win Top Awards
The 2025 judging panel, consisting of Prof Rayya Timammy of the University of Nairobi, Dr Masoud Mohammed of the State University of Zanzibar, and Prof Austin Bukenya, formerly of Makerere University, selected outstanding works across fiction and poetry categories.
In the Fiction category, Tanzania’s Salim Hussein Ng’anzi emerged as the winner with his novel Mwanamkasi Ndio Basi (Mwanamkasi, That’s It!), receiving a prize of US$5,000.
The Poetry category was won by Ali Hilal Ali for his collection Diwani ya Vizikwa Vya Kale (The Anthology of the Ancient Ruins), also earning him a US$5,000 prize.
Ali Hilal Ali’s latest achievement adds to his growing literary legacy. He previously won the Safal Kiswahili Prize for Fiction in 2017, and his award-winning manuscript Mmeza Fupa was later translated into English by Meg Arenberg after receiving a PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant. The translated work, titled The Swallower of Secrets, is expected to be published by the University of Georgia Press in 2027.
Safal Group Reaffirms Commitment to African Literature
Speaking during the anniversary celebration, Safal Group Chairman Sarit Shah highlighted the importance of partnerships in supporting African writers and expanding opportunities within the literary sector.
Over the past 10 years, the Safal Kiswahili Prize has reached thousands of writers, scholars, and Kiswahili stakeholders, creating a platform for emerging and established authors to showcase their creativity.
Sarit Shah congratulated the winners and encouraged them to inspire future generations of writers while reaffirming Safal Group’s commitment to expanding partnerships that create positive social impact.
Growing Interest in Kiswahili Literature Across Africa
The 2025 edition attracted 230 manuscript submissions from seven countries, highlighting the continued growth and influence of Kiswahili literature across the continent.
Prof Rayya Timammy, speaking on behalf of the judges, praised the quality of submissions, noting that the entries demonstrated the continued growth and flourishing of Kiswahili literary talent.
The competition also recognised emerging voices, with winners and shortlisted authors representing Tanzania and Kenya.
Additional Winners Recognised
In the Fiction category, the second-place award went to Dickson Damas Mtalaze of Tanzania for his manuscript Shamba la Mawe (Stone Farm), earning him US$2,500.
The Poetry category runner-up was Lenard Barnaba Mtesigwa of Tanzania for Rima la Miiko na Balaa (The Pit of Taboos and Calamities), also receiving US$2,500.
The Short Story Collection category was won by Dominic Maina Oigo of Kenya for Mbunge Mtarajiwa na Hadithi Nyingine (The Member of Parliament Elect and Other Stories), earning a US$2,500 prize.
Other shortlisted works included:
- Ziaka Imetoboka (The Quiver Has a Hole) by Mathew Theuri Maina (Kenya)
- Zigo la Kichwa (Carrying Heavy Thoughts on the Head) by Maimuna Hashim Maalim (Tanzania)
- Koti la Karani na Hadithi Nyingine (The Clerk’s Coat and Other Stories) by Stallone Joyfully (Tanzania)
- Siri ya Mama na Hadithi Nyingine (The Mother’s Secret and Other Stories) by Sophia Said Puta (Tanzania)
Celebrating a Decade of African Language Storytelling
To mark its 10th anniversary, the Safal Kiswahili Prize also celebrated previous winners through two special publications, Tunu Mpya and Hazina Mpya, featuring works from former first-prize recipients. The collections are available through TPH Bookshop.
The winning works will also be considered for publication in Kiswahili by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers in Tanzania, while winning poetry entries will be translated into English and published through the African Poetry Book Fund.
Safal Kiswahili Prize’s Role in Promoting African Languages
Founded in 2014 by Dr Lizzy Attree and Dr Mukoma wa Ngũgĩ, the Safal Kiswahili Prize for African Literature was established to recognise writing in African languages and encourage translation between African languages and global audiences.
Since its launch, the prize has played a significant role in strengthening Kiswahili literature, supporting writers, and ensuring that African stories receive recognition both on the continent and internationally.
As the Safal Kiswahili Prize enters its next decade, it continues to demonstrate the power of language, culture, and storytelling in shaping Africa’s literary future.
