CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa 2025

Are you an African publisher looking to showcase your work and gain recognition for your contributions to the literary world? Apply now for the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa 2025.

📖 About the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa

The CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa is an initiative by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), developed in partnership with Narrative Landscape Press Limited. This prestigious award celebrates excellence in African publishing and aims to elevate the literary and publishing value chain across the continent.

Opportunity Details:

• Date Published: March 25, 2025
• Application Deadline: Ongoing
• Category: Contest
• Eligible Locations: Africa

🎁 Benefits of the Prize

• The Winner will be announced at the CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa Awards Ceremony during the CANEX Summit or CANEX WKND event.
• Prize Amounts:
  • Winner: $20,000
  • Finalists: $2,000 each
• Winners and finalists are required to share 10% of their prizes with the authors of the winning books.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

General Requirements:

• Books must be originally published by African publishers situated in Africa.
• The publication date must fall within the eligibility window of the preceding calendar year (January 1 to December 31).

Submission Guidelines:

• Publishers may submit up to four (4) trade books intended for a general audience, including:
  • Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Poetry (hardcover or paperback)
• Excluded: Textbooks, academic books, and coffee-table books for niche readerships.

Additional Submissions:

• Publishers wishing to submit a fifth book must contact the Prize administrators directly and address:
  • The book's quality and eligibility.
  • The publisher's annual output (publishers with more than 10 titles per year may qualify for additional submissions).

Eligible Books:

• Trade books in English, French, Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese, Spanish, and any African language.
• Full-length books of fiction and non-fiction.
• Collections of short stories, essays, or poetry by single or multiple authors.
• Self-published books, provided the publisher also publishes works by other authors (verification may be required).

Ineligible Books:

• Books published through self-publishing platforms (e.g., Kindle Direct Publishing).
• Reprints of books from previous Prize years.
• Reprints of books initially published outside Africa.
• Licensed titles first published outside Africa.

📋 Additional Conditions

All publishers submitting books must agree to:

• Share 10% of their prize money with the authors of the winning books if selected as finalists.
• Send a representative to the CANEX Book Factory Prize Award events (travel costs covered by CANEX Book Factory).

📝 Application Process

Two-Step Submission Process:

1. Complete the Entry Form:

   • Select the number of entries (up to five).
   • Provide evidence of incorporation as a publishing company.
   • Review the eligibility criteria carefully.

2. Submit Digital and Hard Copies:

   • Digital Copy: Submit a PDF version via the process outlined in the confirmation email.
   • Hard Copies: Send four hard copies of each book:
     • One copy for the Prize administrators’ office.
     • One copy for each of the three judges.

Important Notes:

• Publishers must ensure all communications are conducted directly with the Prize administrators.
• Publishers are responsible for informing authors and collaborators about the entry of their books.
• No entry fee is required for submitting a book.

🔍 Evaluation Process

• The chair of the judging panel may request titles not submitted by publishers, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
• Publishers must send both digital copies and four hard copies of each book to ensure consideration.
• Deadlines:
  • Digital copies must be received by 5:00 PM CAT on the deadline.
  • Hard copies must be postmarked by the same date.

Additional Notes:

• Digital and hard copies should be sent as soon as they are available.
• Judges may consider late submissions at their discretion.

📅 Key Dates

• Application Deadline: Ongoing
• Submission Deadlines:
  • Digital copies: 5:00 PM CAT on the respective deadline.
  • Hard copies: Postmarked by the same date.

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa.
• Apply directly via the application portal.

This is your opportunity to gain recognition for your publishing excellence and contribute to the growth of African literature. Don't miss out!

• The Winner will be announced at the CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa Awards Ceremony during the year's CANEX Summit or CANEX WKND event.
• The Winner will receive a prize of $20,000.
• Each Finalist will receive a prize of $2,000.
• The Winner and the Finalists are obligated to share 10% of their prizes with the author/s of the winning books.