List of African writers by country

This is a list of prominent and notable writers from Africa. It includes poets, novelists, children's writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country.

Algeria
See: List of Algerian writers

Angola
See: List of Angolan writers

Benin
See: List of Beninese writers

Botswana

 * Galesiti Baruti, novelist and academic
 * Unity Dow (1959–), judge, human rights activist, writer and minister of basic education
 * Bessie Head (1937–1986), novelist and short-story writer born in South Africa
 * Leetile Disang Raditladi (1910–1971), playwright and poet
 * Barolong Seboni (1957–), poet and academic

Burkina Faso
See: List of Burkinabé writers

Burundi

 * Esther Kamatari (1951–)
 * Ketty Nivyabandi (1978–)

Cameroon
See: List of Cameroonian writers

Central African Republic

 * Pierre Makombo Bamboté (1932–), novelist and poet
 * Etienne Goyémidé (1942–1997), novelist, poet and short story writer: Le Silence de la Foret
 * Blaise N'Djehoya (1953–), novelist
 * Cyriaque Robert Yavoucko (1953–), novelist
 * Adrienne Yabouza (1965–), novelist

Chad

 * Salma Khalil Alio (1982–), poet, short story writer and artist.
 * Khayar Oumar Deffalah (c. 1944–), politician and autobiographical writer
 * Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar (1960–), economist and writer
 * Marie-Christine Koundja (1957–), novelist and diplomat
 * Koulsy Lamko (1959–), playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturer
 * Joseph Brahim Seid (1927–1980), writer and politician
 * Ahmat Taboye, literary critic

Congo (Brazzaville)
See: List of Republic of the Congo writers

Congo (Democratic Republic) – formerly Zaïre
See: List of Democratic Republic of the Congo writers

Côte d'Ivoire
See: List of Ivorian writers

Djibouti

 * Waberi Abdourahman (1965–), novelist, poet and academic
 * Mouna-Hodan Ahmed (1972–), French-language novelist

Egypt
See: List of Egyptian writers

Equatorial Guinea

 * María Nsué Angüe (1945–2017), novelist and writer
 * Justo Bolekia Boleká (1954–), professor and Bubi writer
 * Juan Balboa Boneke (1938–2014), politician and writer
 * Raquel Ilombé (1938–1992), Spanish-language writer
 * Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel (1966–), Annobonese writer
 * Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo (1950–), writer and journalist

Eritrea

 * Hamid Barole Abdu (1953–), non-fiction
 * Reesom Haile (2003–), Tigrinya-language poet
 * Saba Kidane (1978–), Tigrinya poet
 * Hannah Pool (1974–), journalist
 * Alemseged Tesfai (1944–), English-language playwright

Ethiopia

 * Sahle Selassie (c. 1795–1847)
 * Haddis Alemayehu (1910–2003)
 * Michael Daniel Ambatchew (1967–2012)
 * Āfawarq Gabra Iyasus (1868–1947)
 * Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin (1936–2006)
 * Moges Kebede
 * Tāddasa Lībān
 * Tsehay Melaku
 * Dinaw Mengestu (1978–)
 * Maaza Mengiste (1974–)
 * Nega Mezlekia (1958–)
 * Martha Nasibù (1931–2020)
 * Lemn Sissay (1967–)
 * Hama Tuma (1949–)
 * Mammo Wudneh (1931–2012)
 * Birhānu Zarīhun (1933/4–1987)
 * Nega Mezlekia (1958–)

Gabon

 * Jean-Baptiste Abessolo (1932–), educator and short story writer
 * Peggy Lucie Auleley, born French-language poet
 * Bessora (1968–, in Belgium), novelist and short story writer
 * Charline Effah (1977–), French-language novelist and educator
 * Rene Maran, born near Martinique (1887–1960), poet and novelist
 * Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa, French-language poet and novelist
 * Justine Mintsa (1967–), French-language novelist
 * Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang (1973–), French-language short story writer
 * Nadia Origo (1977–), novelist and publisher
 * Honorine Ngou (1957–), novelist and academic
 * Vincent de Paul Nyonda (1918–1995), playwright
 * Maurice Okoumba-Nkoghe (1954–), poet and teacher
 * Laurent Owondo (1948–), playwright
 * Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist

Ghana
See: List of Ghanaian writers

Guinea
See: List of Guinean writers

Guinea-Bissau

 * Amílcar Cabral (1924–1973), agronomist, writer and politician
 * Vasco Cabral (1926–2005)
 * José Carlos Schwarz (1949–1977), poet and musician
 * Fausto Duarte (1903–1953), from Cape Verde
 * Carlos Lopes (1960–)
 * Hélder Proença (died 2009)
 * Carlos Semedo, poet
 * Abdulai Silla (1958–)

Kenya
See: List of Kenyan writers

Lesotho

 * David Cranmer Theko Bereng (1900–1974), Sotho poet
 * Caroline Ntseliseng Khaketla (1918–2012)
 * Simon Majara (1924–), Sotho novelist
 * Zakea D. Mangoaela (1883–1963), folklorist
 * Thomas Mofolo (1876–1948), novelist
 * A. S. Mopeli-Paulus (1913–1960), novelist
 * Edward Motsamai (1870–1959), politician and writer
 * Kem Edward Ntsane (1920–), Sotho poet and novelist
 * Basildon Peta (1972–), journalist
 * Everitt Lechesa Segoete (1858–1923), religious and social writer
 * Azariele M. Sekese (1849–1930), Basotho author and historian
 * Joseph I. F. Tjokosela (c.1911–), Catholic writer and teacher

Liberia

 * Edwin Barclay (1882–1955), politician and writer
 * Thomas E. Besolow (c.1867–?), autobiographical writer
 * Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), born in the Virgin Islands (see also Sierra Leone), educator, writer, diplomat and politician
 * Roland Tombekai Dempster (1910–1965), poet
 * Hawa Jande Golakai (1979–)
 * Bai T. Moore (1916–1988), poet, novelist, folklorist and essayist
 * Wilton G. S. Sankawulo (1937–2009), politician and author
 * Vamba Sherif (1973–)

Libya

 * Sadiq Al-Nayhum (1937–1994), Islamic writer, critic and journalist
 * Khalifa al-Fakhri, short story writer
 * Ahmed Fagih (1942–2019), novelist
 * Muammar al-Gaddafi (1942–2011), politician and occasional novelist
 * Ibrahiem El-kouni (1948–), novelist
 * Latifa al-Zayyat (1923–1996), activist and novelist

Madagascar
See: List of Malagasy writers

Malawi

 * Tito Banda (1950–2014), novelist, academic
 * Ezra Jofiya Chadza (1923–1985), poet and novelist
 * William Chafulumira (1908–1981), writer on social issues
 * Lula Pensulo (b. 1991) author, translator, and poet
 * Yesaya Chibambo, author of A Short History of the Ngoni (1933), translated into English by Rev. Charles Stuart.
 * Shadreck Chikoti (b. 1979), writer and social activist
 * Steve Chimombo (1945–2015), writer, poet, editor and teacher
 * Frank Chipasula (b. 1949), poet, writer, editor, publisher and academic
 * Reuben Chirambo (d. 2011), scholar of African literature
 * Robert Chiwamba, poet
 * Tobias Dossi, author of a novel (1958) and humorous short stories (1965) in Chichewa.
 * Aloysius Dziko, author of a novel in Chichewa (1965).
 * Walije Gondwe (b. 1936), Malawi's first female novelist
 * John Gwengwe, author of novels in Chichewa (1965, 1968).
 * Aubrey Kachingwe (b. 1926), novelist and short story writer
 * Lawrence Kadzitche, short story writer
 * Samson Kambalu (b. 1975), artist and autobiographer
 * William Kamkwamba (b. 1987), inventor and author
 * Gertrude Webster Kamkwatira (1966–2006), playwright
 * Whyghtone Kamthunzi (1956–2000), novelist in Chichewa
 * Legson Kayira (1942–2012), novelist and autobiographer
 * Stanley Onjezani Kenani (b. 1976), writer and poet
 * Ken Lipenga (b. 1954), politician, journalist and writer
 * John Lwanda (b. 1949), biographer, poet, doctor, publisher
 * Qabaniso Malewezi (b. 1979), spoken-word poet
 * Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga (b. 1962), poet and broadcaster
 * Jack Mapanje (b. 1944), writer and poet
 * Emily Mkamanga (b. 1949), novelist and social commentator
 * Felix Mnthali (b. 1933), poet, novelist and playwright
 * Francis Moto (b. 1952), writer, academic, and diplomat
 * Sam Mpasu (b. 1945), novelist and politician; author of prison memoirs
 * Edison Mpina (1946–2001), poet
 * Ndongolera Mwangupili (b. 1977), poet and short story writer
 * George Mwase (c.1885–1962), author of a historical account of the 1915 rebellion, published 1967 (2nd ed. 1970).
 * Anthony Nazombe (1955–2004), poet and academic
 * Innocent Masina Nkhonyo (b. 1987), short story writer and poet
 * Jolly Max Ntaba (1946–1993), novelist in Chichewa and English
 * Samuel Josia Ntara or Nthara (1905–1979), novelist and historian
 * D.D. Phiri (Desmond Dudwa Phiri), economist, historian and playwright
 * Bonwell Kadyankena Rodgers (b. 1991), author, translator and editor
 * David Rubadiri (1930–2018), diplomat, academic and poet
 * Paul Tiyambe Zeleza (b. 1955), historian, critic and writer
 * Barnaba Zingani (b. 1958), novelist in Chichewa and English, teacher.
 * Willie Zingani (b. 1954), novelist in English and Chichewa, journalist, poet, playwright
 * Tendai M Shaba (b. 1989), author, writer and poet

See: List of Malawian writers

Mali
See: List of Malian writers

Mauritania

 * Ahmad ibn al-Amin al-Shinqiti (1872–1913), Arabic-language writer
 * Amadou Oumar Bâ (1917–), poet
 * Ibn Razqa (died 1144 AH/1731 AD), poet and scholar
 * Moussa Diagana (1946–2018), French-language writer
 * Moussa Ould Ebnou (1956–), French-language novelist
 * Abderrahmane Sissako (1961–), filmmaker

Mozambique
See: List of Mozambican writers

Namibia

 * Neshani Andreas (1964–2011), novelist
 * Ndeutala Angolo (1952–), novelist and nonfiction writer
 * Joseph Diescho (1955–), novelist
 * Dorian Haarhoff (1944–), poet and academic
 * Giselher Werner Hoffmann (1958–), German-language novelist
 * Anoeschka von Meck (1967–), journalist and Afrikaans-language writer
 * Hans Daniel Namuhuja (1924–1998), poet
 * Cosmo Pieterse (1930–), playwright and poet living and working in South Africa

Niger
See: List of Nigerien writers

Nigeria
See: List of Nigerian writers

Rwanda
See: List of Rwandan writers

São Tomé and Príncipe

 * Olinda Beja (1946–), novelist
 * Sara Pinto Coelho (1913–1990), fiction writer and playwright
 * Caetano da Costa Alegre (1864–1890), Portuguese-language poet
 * Mário Domingues (1899–1977), novelist
 * Conceição Lima (1962–), Portuguese-language poet
 * Manuela Margarido (1925–2007), Portuguese-language poet
 * Alda do Espírito Santo (1926–2010), Portuguese-language poet
 * José Francisco Tenreiro (1921–1963), literary critic and poet

Senegal
See: List of Senegalese writers

Seychelles

 * Antoine Abel (1934–2004), poet and fable writer

Sierra Leone
See: List of Sierra Leonean writers

Somalia

 * Abdi Sheik Abdi (1942–), U.S.-based writer
 * Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, linguist and translator
 * Maxamed Daahir Afrax, novelist, playwright and critic
 * Elmi Boodhari (1908–1940), poet
 * Ayaan Hirsi Ali (1969–), feminist and anti-Islam activist
 * Ahmed Ibrahim Artan, diplomat, author and politician
 * Jaamac Cumar Ciise (c.1922–2014), historian of Somali oral literature
 * Waris Dirie (1965–), model and autobiographical writer
 * Salaan Carrabey (1864–1943), poet
 * Cristina Ali Farah (1973–), poet and novelist
 * Farah Nur (1862–1932), poet and warrior
 * Hussein Hasan (d. 1910s), warrior and poet
 * Nuruddin Farah (1945–), novelist
 * Hadrawi (1943–), poet
 * Yaasiin Cismaan Keenadiid (1919–1988), literary scholar
 * Abdi Kusow, scholar and writer
 * Abdillahi Suldaan Mohammed Timacade (1920–1973), poet
 * Nadifa Mohamed (1981–), novelist
 * Gaariye (d. 2012), poet
 * Mohamed Haji Mukhtar (1947–), historian and scholar
 * Rageh Omaar (1967–), journalist
 * Abdi Ismail Samatar (1950–), geographer
 * Ahmed Ismail Samatar (1950–), writer and academic
 * Dada Masiti, Ashraf poet, mystic and Islamic scholar
 * Said S. Samatar (1943–), scholar and writer
 * Cali Xuseen Xirsi (1946–2005), poet
 * Shadya Yasin (1983/4–), poet

South Africa
See: List of South African writers

Sudan
See: List of Sudanese writers

Swaziland

 * Modison Salayedvwa Magagula (1958–), playwright
 * Stanley Musa N. Matsebula (1958–), economist and writer
 * Elias Adam Bateng Mkhonta (1954–2001), novelist
 * Sarah Mkhonza (1957–), novelist, short story writer and journalist
 * Gladys Lomafu Pato (1930–), short story writer

Tanzania
See: List of Tanzanian writers

Togo
See: List of Togolese writers

Tunisia
See: List of Tunisian writers

Uganda
See: List of Ugandan writers

Western Sahara

 * Mohamed Fadel Ismail Ould Es-Sweyih (1958–2002), journalist and politician
 * Ahmed Baba Miské (1935–2016), writer, diplomat and politician

Zambia

 * Ellen Banda-Aaku (1965–), fiction, children's books
 * Jack Avon (1967–), non-fiction, business books
 * Kenneth Kaunda (1924–2021), nationalist and writer
 * Chibamba Kanyama (1965–), journalist and business writer
 * Andreya Sylvester Masiye (1922–), diplomat and novelist
 * Dominic Mulaisho (1933–2014), novelist
 * Charles Mwewa, poet and non-fiction writer
 * Princess Zindaba Nyirenda, novelist
 * Field Ruwe (1955–), educator, historian, media practitioner, author (fiction and non-fiction)
 * Namwali Serpell (1980–), fiction
 * Monde Sifuniso (1944–), editor, publisher, author (fiction and non-fiction)
 * Binwell Sinyangwe (1956–)

Zimbabwe
See: List of Zimbabwean writers