African Writers (by country):

This is a list of literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, children's writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country.

Algeria

• Jean Amrouche (1907-1962)
• Marguerite Taos Amrouche (1913-1976)
• Rachid Boudjedra (1914-)
• Albert Camus(1913-1960)
• Jacques Derrida (1930-2004)
• Mohammed Dib (1920-2003)
• Tahar Djaout (1954-1993)
• Assia Djebar (1936-)
• Frantz Fanon, originally from Martinique (1925-1961)
• Mouloud Feraoun (1913-1962)
• Mouloud Mammeri (1917-1989)
• Rachid Mimouni (1945-1995)
• Ahlam Mostaghanemi
• Leïla Sebbar
• Jean Sénac (1926-1962)
• Kateb Yacine (1929-1989)

Angola

• José Eduardo Agualusa (1960- )
• Mário Pinto de Andrade
• Dia Kassembe
• Alda Lara (1930–1962)
• Agostinho Neto (1922–1979)
• Pepetela (Artur Carlos Maurício Pestana dos Santos)
• Paula Tavares (1952– )
• Amplia Veiga , born in Portugal (1931– )

Benin

• Christine Adjahi Gnimagnon , also connected with Senegal
• Berte-Evelyne Agbo , also connected with Senegal
• Colette Senami Agossou Houeto (1939-)
• Francis Aupiais , born in France (1877-1945)
• Olympe Bhêly-Quenum
• Florent Couao-Zotti (1964-)
• Félix Couchoro , also connected with Togo (1900-1968)
• Richard Dogbeh , also connected with Togo, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire (1932-2003)
• Adelaide Fassinou (1955- )
• Gisèle Hountondji (1954- )
• Paulin J. Hountondji (1942-)
• Béatrice Lalinon Gbado
• Paulin Joachim (1931- )
• Lauryn , also connected with Côte d'Ivoire and Togo, born in France (1978-)
• Hortense Mayaba
• Jean Pliya ((1931 -)
• José Pliva (1966-)

Botswana

• Bessie Head, born in South Africa
• Alexander McCall Smith, born in Zimbabwe
• Barolong Seboni , poet
• Unity Dow
• Mositi Torontle
• Moteane Melamu
• Caitlin Davies , born in Britain
• Galesiti Baruti
• Andrew Sesinyi

Burkina Faso

• Angèle Bassolé-Ouédraogo, also connected with Côte d'Ivoire
• Sarah Bouyain (1968- )
• Simporé Simone Compaore
• Zarra Guiro (1957- )
• Monique Ilboudo
• Sophie Heidi Kam (1968- )
• Sandra Pierrette Kanzie
• Marie-Simone Séri , also connected with Senegal
• Joseph Ki-Zerbo
• Gaël Koné (1976- )
• Honorine Mare (1972- )
• Suzy Henique Nikiéma (1983- )
• Adiza Sanoussi
• Prof. Maxime Z. Somé

Burundi

• Barbara Kururu Ndimurukundo (1950- )
• Esther Kamatari (1951- )
• Colette Samoya Kiruya (1952- )

Cameroon

• Mongo Beti (pseudonym of Alexandre Biyidi)
• Ferdinand Oyono (1929– )

Cape Verde

• Alile Wahnon Ferro (1940– )
• Amílcar Cabral (1921–1973) (see also Guinea-Bissau)
• Germano Almeida
• Leopoldina Barreto
• Yolanda Morazzo (1928– )
• Dina Salústio (1941– )
• Ana Julia Monteiro Sança (1949– )
• Rosa de Saron
• Eugénio Tavares
• Ivone Ramos: (07.09.1926 - ); short-stories
• Sergio Frusoni : (10.08.1901 - 29.05.1975); Poems in the crioulo of São Vicente
• João Cleófas Martins : (1901-1970)
• Manuel de Novas

Central African Republic

• Anurée Blouin (1921- )

Chad

• Marie-Christine Koundja (1957- )

Comoros

Congo (-Brazzaville)

• Jeannette Balou Tchichelle (1947- )
• Noëlle Bizi Bazouma (1959- )
• Silvie Bokoko (1960- )
• Adèle Caby-Livannah (1957- )
• Cucile-Ivelyse Diamoneka (1940- )
• Diur N?Thumb
• Emmanuel Dongala
• Aleth Felix- Tchicaya (1955- )
• Mambou Aimée Gnali
• Floe Hazoume (1959- )
• Francine Laurans (1962- )
• Binéka Daniele Lissouba , born in France
• Jusitne M'Poyo Kassa-Vubu (1951- )
• Betty (Elisabeth) Mweya Tol'Ande (1947- )
• Ghislaine Sathoud (1969- )
• Tchicaya U Tam'si
• Marie-Leontine Tsibinda

• Brigitte Yengo

Congo (Democratic Republic) - formerly Zaïre

• Léone Abo , (1945– )
• Amba Bongo
• Lila-Baleka Bosek?Ilolo
• Maguy Kabamba (1960– )
• Christine Kalonji
• Sony Labou Tansi
• V.Y. Mudimbe
• Kavidi Wivine N?Landu
• Clémentine Nzuji (1944– )
• Kabika Tshilolo
• Yamusangie, Frederick Kambemba

Côte d'Ivoire

• Josette D. Abondio
• Anne-Marie Adiaffi (1951- )
• Marie-Danielle Aka
• Marie Giselle Aka (born in the Lebanon) (1971- )
• Assamala Amoi , born in France (1960- )
• Michele Assamoua , originally from France (1941- )
• Annick Assemian , born in France (1952- )
• Angèle Bassolé-Ouédraogo, also connected with Burkina Faso
• Khadi Sy Bizet
• Fatou Bolli
• Tanella Boni
• Isabelle Boni-Claverie
• Marie Anne Caro
• Jeanne de Cavally (1926- )
• Fanny Fatou Cissé (1971- )
• Micheline Coulibaly , born in Vietnam (1950-2003)
• Bernard Binlin Dadié
• Henriette Diabate
• Muriel Diallo (1967- )
• Marion Diby Zinnanti (1960- )
• Gina Dick
• Richard Dogbeh , also connected with Benin, Senegal and Togo (1932-2003)
• Oklomin Kacou
• Simone Kaya (1937- )
• Fatou Kéita
• Alimatou Koné
• Boundou Koné
• Akissi Kouadio
• Adjoua Flore Kouame (1964- )
• Ahmadou Kourouma
• Genevieve Koutou Guhl
• Lauryn , also connected with Togo and Benin, born in France (1978-)
• Manïssa
• Mary Lee Martin-Koné , (born in USA)
• Mariama Méité (1967- )
• Isabelle Montplaisir
• Rosalie Nana (1962- )
• Goley Niantié Lou
• Pascale Quao-Gaudens (1963- )
• Cristiane Remino-Granel , born on Martinique
• Marinette Secco , born in France (1921- )
• Marie-Simone Séri , also connected with Burkina Faso
• Haïdara Fatoumata Sirantou
• Véronique Tadjo (1955- )
• Werewere-Liking Gnepo , also connected with Cameroon (1950- )
• Caroline Angèle Yao
• Regina Yaou (1955- )
• Annie Yapobi

Djibouti

• Mouna-Hodan Ahmed (1972- )

Egypt

• Abd Al-Rahman Abnudi
• Tatamkula Afrika , also connected with South Africa (1920-2002)
• Gamal Al-Ghitani
• Hayam Abbas Al-Homi
• Samir Amin
• Nawâl El Saadâwi (1931- )
• Naguib Mahfouz, (1911- ), awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in Literature
• Alifa Rifaat
• Ahdaf Soueif

Equatorial Guinea

• María Nsué Angüe (1945- )
• Juan TOmas Avila Laurel (1966- )

Eritrea

• Reesom Haile

Ethiopia

• Innānu Āggonāfir (pseudonym of Nagāsh Gabra Māryām)
• Haddis Alemayehu
• Michael Daniel Ambatchew (1967- )
• Āfawarq Gabra Iyasus
• Ābbe Gubaññā
• Blattengeta Hiruy Walda Sillāse
• Mangistu Lammā
• Tāddasa Lībān
• Nega Mezlekia
• Sahle Sellassie (1936- )
• Girmācchaw Takla Hāwāryāt
• Hama Tuma (1949- )
• Tsegaye_Gabre-Medhin (1936- )
• Mammo Wudneh
• Birhānu Zarīhun

Gabon

• Nadele Noele Ango Obiang
• Peggy Lucie Auleley
• Bessora (born in Belgium) (1968- )
• Rene Maran , born near Martinique (1887-1960)
• Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa
• Justine Mintsa (1967- )
• Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang
• Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri

The Gambia

• Lenrie Peters

Ghana

• Ama Ata Aidoo (1940- )
• Anthony Appiah
• Ayi Kwei Armah
• Raphael Armattoe
• Bediako Asare
• Meshack Asare (1945- )
• Kofi Awoonor (1935- )
• William Boyd
• Akosua Busia
• G.E. Casely-Hayford
• Quobna Ottobah Cugoano, from today?s Ghana (1757?-1801?)
• Amma Darko
• Michael Dei-Anang
• Efua Dorkenoo
• Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972)
• Carl Christian Reindorf
• Efua Theodora Sutherland (1924- )

Guinea

• Sirah Balde de Labe
• Nadine Bari , born and lives in France (1940- )
• Aïssatou Barry (1959- )
• Kesso Barry (1948- )
• Mariama Barry , also connected with Senegal
• Laye Camara
• Josiane Cointet , born and lives in France
• Koumanthio Zeinab Diallo (1956- )
• Mariana Kesso Diallo
• Camara Laye
• Tierno Monénembo
• Williams Sassine
• Marie Bernadette Tiendrébéogo (1958- )

Guinea-Bissau

• Amílcar Cabral (1921–1973) (see also Cape Verde)
• Nadine Nyangoma , born in Belgium

Kenya

• Abdellatif Abdalla
• Sayyid Aidarusi
• Rocha Chimera
• Muyaka bin Haji al-Ghassany
• Jomo Kenyatta (1892?-1978)
• Mwana Kupona binti Msham
• Micere Mugo (1942- )
• Rebeka Njau (1930- )
• Asenath Bole Odaga
• Grace Ogot (1930- )
• M.G. Vassanji (1950- )
• Ngugi wa Mirii (1951- )
• Ahmad Nassir
• Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (1938– )
• Meja Mwangi (1948 - )
• Elspeth Huxley (1907 - 1997)
• Karen Blixen aka Isak Dinesen (1885 - 1962)
• Wahome Muthahi ( - 2003)

Lesotho

• Moroesi Akhionbare (1945- )
• Thomas Mofolo (1876-1948)
• Mzamane Nhlapo
• Mpho ?Masepo Nthunya

Liberia

• Edwin Barclay
• Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), born in the Virgin Islands (see also Sierra Leone)

Libya

Madagascar

• Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo (1901?/1902?/1904?-1937)
• Charlotte Arisoa Rafenomanjato
• Michèle Rakotoson

Malaŵi

• Jack Mapanje

Mali

• Abdoulaye Ascofaré
• Ibrahima Aya
• Amadou Hampâté Bâ
• Adame Ba Konaré
• Aïda Mady Diallo
• Alpha Mandé Diarra
• Oumou Diarra , born in Yugoslavia (1967- )
• Aïcha Fofana (1957-2003)
• Aïssatou Guido (1941- )
• Aoua Kéita (1912-1980)
• Fatouma Keïta (1977- )
• Moussa Konaté
• Yambo Ouologuem (1940- )
• M?Bamekan Soucko Bathily
• Fanta-Taga Tembely (1946- )
• Bernadette Sanou Dao (1952- )

Mauritania

Mauritius

• Lilian Berthelot
• Marcel Cabon (1912-1972)
• Raymond Chasle
• Malcolm de Chazal (1902-1981)
• Carl de Souza (1949- )
• Ananda Devi
• Jean Fanchette
• Colleen Lindsay , also connected with South Africa
• Edouard Maunick
• Tanure Ojaide (1948- )
• Dev Virasawmy

Morocco

• Tahar Ben Jelloun
• Mohammed Choukri
• Driss Chraïbi (1926- )
• Edmond Amran El Maleh (1917- )
• Abdelkébir Khatibi
• Mohammed Khaïr-Eddine
• Abdellatif Laabi
• Fatima Mernissi
• Ahmed Sefrioui
• Mohammed Zefzaf

Mozambique

• Paulina Chiziane (1955– )
• Mia Couto (1955– )
• José Craveirinha (1922–2003)
• Luis Bernardo Honwana
• Ungulani Ba Ka Khosa
• Lina Magaia
• Aília Momplé (1935– )
• Amélia Muge (1952– )
• Glória de Santana (1925– )
• Noémia de Sousa (1926– )
• José Luandino Vieira

Namibia

Niger

• Andrée Clair , born and died in France (1916-1982)
• Hélène Kaziende
• Oum Ramatou (1970- )

Nigeria

• Chinua Achebe (1930- )
• Remi Adedeji (1937- )
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1977- )
• Tolu Ajayi
• Akilu Aliyu
• T.M. Aluko (1918- )
• Ifi Amadiume
• Babatunde Awoyele
• Francoise Balogun
• John Pepper Clark (1935– )
• Samuel Adjai Crowther (1809–1891), born in Oshogbo in what is now Nigeria
• Umaru Dembo
• Cyprian Ekwensi
• Buchi Emecheta
• Olaudah Equiano, from today's Nigeria (contested) (1745?-1797)
• Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa
• Dan Fulani
• Akinwunmi Isola
• Festus Iyayi
• Femi Jeboda
• Samuel Johnson
• Aminu Kano
• Sulaiman Ibrahim Katsina
• Amina Mama
• Martina Awele Nwakoby (1937- )
• Nkem Nwankwo (1936–2001)
• Flora Nwapa (1931-1993)
• Onuora Nzekwu
• Molara Ogundipe
• Bamiji Ojo
• Gabriel Okara (1921– )
• Oladejo Okedeji
• Christopher Okigbo (1932–1967)
• Ben Okri
• Afolabi Olabimtan
• Esho Oluborode
• Osonye Tess Onwueme (1955- )
• Dennis Osadebay
• Helen Ovbiagele (1944- )
• Mudi Sipikin
• Zulu Sofola (1935– )
• J. Sobowole Sowande
• Wole Soyinka (1934- ), awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature
• Adebisi Thompson
• Amos Tutuola
• Françoise Ugochukwu , born in France
• Adaoa Lily Ulasi (1932- )
• Ugonna Wachuku (1971- ), has been living in Geneva, Switzerland, since March 1996
• Ken Wiwa, son of Ken Saro-Wiwa, now resides in Canada
• Oladipo Yemitan
• Sa'adu Zungur

Réunion

Rwanda

• Maggy Correa
• Jeannine Herrmann-Grisius
• Thérèse Muamini
• Yolande Mukagasana
• Marie-Aimable Umurerwa
• Marie Béatrice Umutesi (1959- )

São Tomé and Príncipe

• Olinda Beja (1946– )
• Sara Pinto Coelho (1913–1990)
• Lima Conceição (1962– )
• Caetano da Costa Alegre (1864–1890)
• M. Manuela Margarido (1925– )
• Alda do Espírito Santo (1926– )
• Mario Domingues (1899– )
• José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963)

Senegal

A - G

• Maïmouna Abdoulaye (1949- )
• Christine Adjahi Gnimagnon , also connected with Benin
• Berte-Evelyne Agbo , also connected with Benin
• Emilie Anifranie Ehah , also connected with Togo
• Clotilde Armstrong (1929- )
• Mariama Bâ (1929-1981)
• Mariama Barry , also connected with Guinea
• Sokhna Benga
• Jacqueline Fatima Bocoum
• Francy Brethenoux-Seguin
• Aïssatou Cisse
• Aïssatou Cissokho
• Aïssatou Diagne Deme
• Nafissatou Dia Diouf (1973- )
• Nafissatou Niang Diallo (1941-1982)
• Aïssatou Diam , ?
• Mame Younousse Dieng
• Aminata Sophie Dièye (1973- )
• Fatou Diome
• Mame Younousse Dieng
• Aminata Sophie Dièye (1973- )
• Fatou Diome (1968- )
• Birago Diop
• Boubacar Boris Diop
• Cheikh Anta Diop
• Coumba Diouf
• Aïsha Diouri (1974- )
• Khadi Fall (1948- )
• Kimé Dirama Fall
• Richard Dogbeh , also connected with Benin, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire (1932-2003)
• Absa Gassama

H - O

• Khadidjatou (Khady) Hane
• Sylvie Kande , born in France
• Cheikh Hamidou Kane
• Ken Bugul (1947- )
• Aminata Maïga Ka (1940- )
• Ayavi Lake (1980- )
• Tita Mandeleau (1937- )
• Annette Mbaye D?Erneville (1926- )
• Ndèye Comba Mbengue Diakhaté
• Diana Mordasini
• Aminata Ndiaye (1974- )
• Catherine N?Diaye (1952- )
• Marie Ndiaye , born in France (1967- )
• Fatou Sow Ndiaye
• Ndèye Doury Ndiaye (1936- )
• Mariama Ndoye
• Anne Marie Niane , born in Vietnam (1950- )
• Djibril Tamsir Niane
• Mame Bassine Niang (1951- )
• Fatou Niang Siga (1932- )
• Sembène Ousmane

P - Z

• Valérie Pascaud-Junot (born in France)
• Anne Piette , born in France (1943- )
• Mama Seck Mbacke
• Fama Diagne Sène (1969- )
• Léopold Senghor (1906-2001)
• Aminata Sow Fall (1941- )
• Amina Sow Mbaye (1937- )
• Khady Sylla (1963- )
• Abibatou Traoré (1973- )
• Marie Rose Turpin (1957- )
• Myriam Warner Vieyra , born in Guadeloupe (1939- )

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

• Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), born in the Virgin Islands (see also Liberia)
• Syl Cheney-Coker
• Africanus Horton (1835–1883)

Somalia

• Axmed Farah Ali Idaja
• Cali Xuseen Xirsi (1949– )
• Hussein Ali Du'ale Awil
• Faarax MJ Cawl
• Nuruddin Farah (1945– )
• Aden AwXirsi G. Cirro

South Africa

A - E

• Peter Abrahams
• Tatamkulu Afrika, born in Egypt (1920-2002)
• Shabbir Banoobhai, (1949- )
• Mark Behr , born in Tanzania
• Breyten Breytenbach (1939- )
• K.S. Bongela
• Andre Brink
• Dennis Brutus
• J.M. Coetzee (1940- ), awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature
• Jeremy Cronin
• Bryce Courtenay, also connected with Australia
• Patrick Cullinan
• Achmat Dangor
• Ingrid de Kok (1951- )
• Rolfes Robert Reginald Dhlomo (1901–1971)
• Sandile Dikeni
• Modikwe Dikobe
• J.C. Dlamini
• C.J. Driver
• John L. Dube
• K. Sello Duiker
• Ahmed Essop

F - J

• Ruth First (1925-1982)
• Lynne Freed
• Athol Fugard (1932- )
• Shiela Fugard
• Magema Fuze
• Nadine Gordimer (1923- ), awarded the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature
• Jeremy Gordin
• Stephan Gray
• Mafika Gwala
• Bessie Head (1937-1986)
• Bruce Hewett
• Christopher Hope
• Emma Huismans
• Alfred Hutchinson (1924–1972)
• Noni Jabuvi (1919?/1921?- )
• Rayda Jacobs
• Fhazel Johennesse
• J.J.R. Jolobe
• Archibald Campbell Jordan
• Elsa Joubert (1922- )

K - O

• Farida Karodia (1942- )
• Anne Kellas , also connected with Australia (1951- )
• Antije Krog
• Mazisi Kunene
• Ellen Kuzwayo (1914- )
• Alex La Guma (1925–1985)
• David Lambkin
• Anne Landsman
• Colleen Lindsay , also connected with Mauritius
• Douglas Livingstone, born in Malaysia (1932-1996)
• Sindiwe Magona (1943- )
• Arthur Maimane (1932– )
• N.J. Makhaye
• Nelson Mandela (1918- )
• Chris Mann
• Maishe Maponya
• Eugène Marais
• Andrew Martens
• John Mateer , also connected with Australia)
• Todd Matshikiza (1921?–1968)
• Don Mattera
• James McClure
• Zakes Mda
• John van Melle, born in the Netherlands (1887-1953)
• Albert Memmi
• Gcina Mhlophe (1959- )
• Leonard Mncwango
• Bloke Modisane (1924–1986)
• Benjamin Moloise
• Casey Motsisi
• Phaswane Mpe
• Ezekiel Mphahlele
• Samuel E.K. Mqhayi
• Oswald Mtshali
• Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa
• Phumasilwe Myeni
• Godfrey Mzamane
• Mbulelo Mzamane
• Njabulo Ndebele (1948– )
• J.K. Ngubane
• Mike Nicol
• Marlene van Niekerk
• Lewis Nkosi (1936– )
• Arthur Nortje (1942-1970)
• C.S.Z. Ntuli
• D.B.Z. Ntuli
• Sibusiso Nyembezi

P - T

• Essop Patel
• Alan Paton (1903 - 1988)
• Sol T. Plaatje
• Menan du Plessis (1952- )
• Z.S. Qangule
• Richard Rive
• Sheila Roberts (1937- )
• Riana Scheepers
• Alan Scholefield
• Olive Schreiner (1855-1920)
• Tembela Sekele , also connected with Lesotho
• Sipho Sepamla
• Mongane Wally Serote (1944- )
• Gillian Slovo
• Adam Small
• Russell Smith (born South Africa, raised and lives in Canada)
• Wilbur Smith (1932- )
• Kelwyn Sole
• Wilma Stockenstrom (1933- )
• Can Themba (1924-1969)
• Miriam Tlali (1933- )

U - Z

• Van Onselen
• Benedict Vilakazi
• Lettie Viljoen (1948- )
• Graham Walker
• Stephen Watson (1955- )
• Zoe Wicomb
• Christopher van Wyk
• Muntu Xulu
• Rose Zwi , born in Mexico

Sudan

• Leila Aboulela
• Ra'ouf Mus'ad
• Tayeb Salih

Swaziland

Tanzania

• Mark Behr , also connected with South Africa
• Euphrase Kezilahabi (1944- )
• Robert Bin Shaaban (1902-1962)
• Julius Nyerere (1922-1999)

Togo

• Gad Ami (1958-)
• David Ananou (1917-2000)
• Félix Couchoro , also connected with Benin (1900-1968)
• Richard Dogbeh , also connected with Benin, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire (1932-2003)
• Kossi Efoui (1962-)
• Emilie Anifranie Ehah , also connected with Senegal
• Christiane Akoua Ekue (1954-)
• Alemdjrodo Kangni (1966-)
• Tété-Michel Kpomassie (1941-)
• Pyabelo Chaold Kouly (1943-)
• Lauryn , also connected with Benin and Togo, born in France (1978-)
• Senouvo Agbota Zinsou (1946-)

Tunisia

• Hédi Bouraoui

Uganda

• Moses Isegawa
• Catherine Samali Kavuma
• China Keitetsi
• Mahmood Mamdani
• Okot p'Bitek

Western Sahara

Zambia

• Solomon Mutswairo (1924– ) (see also Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia)

• Tsitsi Dangarembga
• Chenjerai Hove
• Doris Lessing, born in Persia (today's Iran) (1919- )
• John Marangwanda
• Dambudzo Marechera
• Nozipa Maraire (1966- )
• Charles Mungoshi
• Solomon Mutswairo (1924– ) (see also Zambia)
• Alexander McCall Smith, also connected with Botswana
• Yvonne Vera (1964- )
• Andrew Plate (1980- )

See also

• List of African writers
• Lists of authors

External links

• Contemporary Africa Database