The Caine Prize for African Writing 2026 is now open for submissions, offering a prestigious £10,000 award to celebrate outstanding short fiction by African writers. Known globally as one of the most influential literary prizes on the continent, the Prize continues to shine a spotlight on powerful African storytelling, emerging voices, and bold narratives that reflect the richness of African experiences.
The 2026 edition invites publishers to submit exceptional fictional short stories that meet all eligibility requirements. This annual prize remains committed to promoting African literature, nurturing creative talent, and bringing the works of African writers to international audiences.
About the Caine Prize for African Writing
The Caine Prize honours original, English-language short stories by African writers. It aims to elevate high-quality fiction, expand literary opportunities, and support writers whose work captures imagination, culture, and the complexities of life across Africa and its diaspora.
Shortlisted writers will be invited to participate in readings, panel discussions, interviews, and promotional events. The winning story will receive £10,000, while shortlisted entries receive additional recognition and exposure through the official Caine Prize anthology.
Eligibility Requirements for 2026
To enter the 2026 competition, submissions must meet the following rules:
Publication and Word Count
- Stories must have been published between 27 February 2021 and 27 February 2026.
- Submissions must be 3,000 to 10,000 words.
- Only fictional short stories are accepted.
Who Can Submit
- Entries must be submitted by a publisher, such as:
- Book publishers (print or digital)
- Literary journals
- Magazines
- Arts or literature-focused websites
- Self-published and unpublished stories are not eligible.
- Authors cannot submit their own stories.
- Publishers may submit multiple stories, but only one story per author.
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Who Qualifies as an African Writer?
A writer is considered African if:
- They are a citizen of an African country, OR
- They have at least one parent who is African by birth or nationality.
Other Key Rules
- The author must be 18 years or older at the time of submission.
- Stories must be submitted with author consent.
- Stories cannot be re-submitted if previously entered in any past Caine Prize edition.
- Translated works are allowed if originally published in another language. Should such a story win, 70% of the prize goes to the author and 30% to the translator.
- Submissions must specify the author’s African country of origin and word count.
- For digital publications, a PDF version or PDF containing a link must be provided.
Ineligible Works
The following genres cannot be submitted:
- Novels
- Children’s stories
- Academic essays
- Factual writing
- Poetry
- Plays
- Biography/autobiography
- Any non-fiction content
Stories shorter than 3,000 words or longer than 10,000 words are also not eligible.
Submission Timeline
- Opening Date: Monday, 1 December 2025 (00:01 GMT)
- Closing Date: Friday, 27 February 2026 (12:00 GMT)
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Rights and Permissions
By submitting a story:
- Publishers and authors grant the Prize non-exclusive, perpetual rights to reproduce shortlisted stories in its anthologies, digital collections, audio formats, and promotional materials.
- Shortlisted writers agree to participate in Prize-related events, both online and in person.
Why Publishers Should Participate
The Caine Prize offers unparalleled exposure for African writers. Shortlisted stories reach global audiences through:
- International publications
- Media features
- Literary festivals
- Digital and print anthologies
It is one of the most powerful platforms to elevate African voices within global literature.
For more information, visit The Caine Prize for African Writing.
