Afritondo Short Story Prize Shortlist 2023

Afritondo is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2023 Afritondo Short Story Prize.

The judges—Doreen Baingana, Efemia Chela, and Ayesha Harruna Attah—loved and commended the quality and range of entries in the longlist as well as the creative ways in which the writers explored the theme of this year’s prize. They said:

“These stories took us on journeys that were wild, tender, surreal, and heartbreaking; all of them unpacking the varied meanings, joys, pain and power of being “alien”.
Whether as outsiders in a new place or strangers at home, these stories sensitively explored relationships, community and identity in remarkably fresh ways. A confirmation, yet again, that the African short story is alive and kicking!”

The five finalists for the 2023 prize are:

Ayo Awoyungbo The Man From Abeokuta
Jenny Robson The Sister-in-law
Enit'ayanfe Ayosojumi Akinsanya The Anatomy Of Flying Things
Ani Kayode Somtochukwu Grey Is A Colour That Never Stains
Alex Kadiri The Hyena And The Two-Headed Goat

A winner will be announced in an upcoming award ceremony—details to be announced soon. Afritondo thanks the judges for their brilliant work and congratulations to all the writers.

An anthology of the longlist is expected in the summer.