This is going to be a living directory of African Authors sorted by country/birth place and alphabetically by first name. Authors with family or roots in multiple countries will be listed more than once.  I will mark my favorites with a “+” and notable prizes are mentioned as well.  I’ve always had a hard time finding classic and contemporary African authors through the main information streams in the West and after living in Ghana, I became even more interested in literature from the region and continent as a whole.  Hopefully this list is helpful; whether you are starting to get into these authors, a long time fan or even a teacher creating a syllabus, there should be something in here for you.  If you would like specific book recommendations, have questions or want someone added to this list then please leave a comment!

Algeria
Albert Camus
Malika Mokeddem
Yacine Kateb

Angola
José Eduardo Agualusa
Ondjaki
Pepetela

Benin
Olaudah Eqüino

Botswana
Mpho Otukile
Wazha Lopand

Burkina Faso
Malidoma Patrice Somé

Cameroon
Ferdinand Oyono
Imbolo Moue
Werewere Liking

Cape Verde
Germano Almeida

Caribbean
Nicole Dennis-Benn
Tiphanie Yanique
V.S. Naipaul
Yewande Omotoso

Democratic Republic of Congo
In Koli Jean Bofane
Richard Ali A Mutu

Republic of Congo
Alain Mabanckou
Emmanuel Dongala

Cote D’Ivoire
Edwige-Renée Dro
Véronique Tadjo

Djibouti
Abdourahman Waberi

Egypt
Ahdaf Soueif
Leila Aboulela
Naguib Mahfouz
Nawal El-Saadawi
Yasmine El Rashidi

Equatorial Guinea
Recaredo Silebo Boturu

Ethiopia
Dinaw Mengestu
Maaza Mengiste

Ghana
A. Adu Boahen
Ada Badoe
Akosua Busia
Alba Kunadu Sumprim
Ama Ata Aidoo
Amma Darko+
Amu Djoleto+
Asabea Ashun
Ayesha Harruna Attah+
Ayi Lwei Armah
Benjamin Kwakye
Boakyewaa Glover
Empi Baryeh
Eco Mawugbe
Efemia Chela
Efua Sutherland+
Francis Selormey
Franka Maria Andoh
Hammamat Montia
Jerry Y. Sarkwah
Kobina Sakyi
Kofi Akpabli
Kofi Anyidoho
Kofi Awoonor
Kojo Laing
Kwei Quartey
Kwesi Yankah
Lesley Lokko
Malaka Grant
Mamle Wolo
Martin Egblewogbe
Maul Adzei
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
Nanayaa Amankwah
Nii Akyikwei Parkes
P.A.V.Ansah
Peggy Appiah
Ruby Yayra Goka
Taiye Selasi+
T.P. Manu Plzen
Yaa Gyasi
Yaw Adjei Appiah

Kenya
Abdul Adan
Alexander Ikawah
Alexis Teyie
Billy Kahora*
Biinyavanga Wainaina*
Clifton Gachagua
Dilman Dila
James Murua
John Rugoiyo Gichuki
Kiprop Kimutai
Linda Musita
M.G. Vassanji
Mehul Gohil
Michael Onsando
Moses Kilolo
Mukoma wa Ngugi
Mwangi Gicheru
Nansubaga Makumbi
Ndinda Kioko
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Nikhil Singh
Nyambura Mpesha
Okwiri Oduor*
Richard Oduor Oduku
Sanya Noel
Stanley Gazebo
Timothy Kiprop Kimutai
Wahome Mutahi
Wangari Maathai
Wanuri Kahiu
Wunyabari Maloba
Yvonne Owuor*

Liberia
Hawa Jande Golakai
Helene Cooper
Ophelia S. Lewis
Vamba Sherif

Libya
Ibrahim al-Koni

Malawi
Shadreck Chikoti
Stanley Onjezani Kenani
William Kamkwamba

Mali
Amadou Hampâté Bâ

Mauritius
Zee Monodee

Morocco
Mohammed Khair-Eddine
Mohammed Mrabet
Tahar Ben Jelloun

Mozambique
Luís Bernardo Honwana
Mia Couto

Namibia
A.L. Nghifikua
Alison Gardner
Almut Heddenhausen
Ambrosius N. Amutenja
Amy Schoeman
Andrew Matjila
Anoeschka Von Meck
Antje Burke
Attie Beukes
Ayobami Adebayo
Braam Cupido
Brigitte Weidlich
Bryan O’Linn
Bryanie Van Harmelen
Bryony Van der Merwe
Carole Bloch
Charmaine Stewart
Chris Matthee
Christi Warner
Christie Keulder
Christine Marais
Conny Von Dewitz
Dawn Ridgway
Dirk Mudge
Doc Immelman
Dorian Haarhoff
Ean Oberholzer
Eberhard Rosenblad
Edwin Loeb
Elizabeth Khaxas
Ellen Ndeshi Namhila
ELP Stals
Erica Thiro-Beukes
Erika Von Wietersheim
Erna Muller
Fousy Shinana-Kambombo
Frederick B. Philander
Frederico J. Links
Fritz Eloff
Fritz Krampe
Gabi Schneider
Gordon McGregor
Hans Beukes
Heinrich Vedder
Helao Shityuwete
Helene De Kok
Helga Hoveka
Helvi Itenge Wheeler
Henning Melber
Henry Bailey
Hewat S. J. Beukes
Horst Lempp
Hugh Ellis
Iipumbu Sakaria
Ilme Schneider
Isabel Eckleben
Jane Katjavivi
Jean Fischer
Jekura Uaurika Kavari
Jennifer Davis
Job Amupanda
Joh R. Henschel
Johan J. Beyers
Johann Bruwer
John Masson
John Makala Lilemba
Joseph Diescho
Kavevangua Kahengua
Keamogetsi J. Molapong
Keshii Pelao Nathanael
Klaus Dierks
Koos  Van Zyl
Libertina Amathila
Lucia Engombe
Lucy Edwards-Jauch
Manfred O. Hinz
Marcus Shivute
Marius Millard
Mary M. Manyando
Mattia Fumanti
Milton Louw
Monica Pinias
Mvula ya Nangolo
Nadia Oberholzer
Naomy Kaukuata
Ndaponah Shikangalah
Neshani Andreas
Noreen Arangies
Olga Levinson
Pat Honeybourne
Peter Johansson
Peter Stark
Petrus Haakskeen
Piet Van Rooyen
Reinhard Friederich
Reinhart Koessler
Romeo Sinkala
Sakaria Nikodemus
Samson Ndeikwila
Samuel Daniel Nujoma
Sharon Kasanda
Shirley-Ann Pager
Sigrid Schmidt
Sisa Namandje
Sylvia Schlettwein
Tangeni Amupadhi
Terah Lee
Tshiwa Trudie Amulungu
Tumweneni M. Nghaamwa
Tuuliki Jantunen
Veronika N. Hango
Victoria Hasheela
Willy Mary Amutenya

Nigeria
A. Igoni Barret
Abimbola Dare
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim*
Amina Mama
Amos Tutoala
Ben Okri
Biola Olatunde
Buchi Emecheta
C.M. Okonkwo
Chibundu Onuzo
Chika Unigwe
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie+
Chinelo Okaparanta*
Chinua Achebe
Chris Abani
Chumo Nwokolo Jr.
Cyprian Ekwensi
EC Osondu*
Eghosa Imasuen
Elnathan John*
Helon Habila*
Helen Oyeyemi
Johor Ile
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Leye Adenle
Lola Shoneyin
Myne Whitman
Nnedi Okorafor
Rotimi Babatunde*
Sarah Lapido Manyika
Sefi Atta
Según Afolabi*
Teju Cole
Tope Folarin*
TJ Benson
Uwem Akpan
Wale Okediran
Wole Soyinka+
Yewande Omotoso

Rwanda
Immaculée Ilibagiza

Senegal
Cheikh Anta Diop
Fatou Diome
Mariama Bâ
Marie NDiaye
Osumane Sembène

Sierra Leone
Aminatta Forna
Ishmael Beah
Olufemi Terry*
Pede Hollist*
Ukamaka Olisakwe

Somalia
Abdul Adan
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Nadifa Mohamed
Nuruddin Farrah
Waris Dirie

South Africa
Achmat Dangor
Ade Adebajo
Alan Paton
Alex La Guma
André Brink
Angela Makholwa
Angelina Sithebe
Antjie Krog
Atoll Fugard
Barbara Trapido
Bessie Head
Bhekizizwe Peterson
Bongani Madonna
Bontle Senne
Damon Galgut
Diane Awerbuck
Dikeledi Deekay Sibanda
D0n Mattera
Duduzile Zamantungwa Mabaso
Edith Bulbring
Elinor Sisulu
Eusebius McKaiser
F.T. Kola*
Fiona Snyckers
Fred Khumalo
Gabeba Baderoon
Gcina Mhlope
Helen Moffett
Henrietta Rose-Innes*
Herman Charles Bosman
Ingrid Jonker
Ivan Vladislavic
J.M. Coetzee
Jacqui L’Ange
Justice Malala
K. Sello Duiker
Khaya Dlanga
Koleka Putuma
Kopano Matlwa
Lauren Beukes
Lebogang Mashile
Lesego Rampolokeng
Lidudumalingani Mqombothi
Liesl Jobson
Makhosazana Xaba
Malaika Wa Azania
Manu Herbsten
Marlene Van Niekerk
Mary Watson*
Masaned Ntshanga*
Matthew Blackman
Mbali Matandela
Megan Ross
Miriam Tlali
Mongane Wally Serote
Nadia Davids
Nadine Gordimer
Natalia Molebatsi
Ndumiso Ngcobo
Niq Mglongo
Njabulo Ndebele
Nozizwe Jele
Nthikeng Mohlele
Olive Schreiner
Paige Nick
Panashe Chigumadzi
Percy Mabandu
Phillippa Yaa De Villiers
Premise Lalu
Pumla Dineo Gqola
Rian Malan
Richard de Nooy
Richard Poplak
Robyn Goss
S.A. Partridge
Sabot-mpho Mokae
Sandy Ndelu
Shafinaaz Hassim
Sibongile Fisher
Sifiso Mzone
Sihle Khumalo
Simamkele Dlakavu
Sindiwe Magona
Siphiwo Mahala
Thabiso Mahlape
Thando Mgqolozana
Terry Westvt-Nunn
Tom Eaton
Unathai Kondile
Unathi Magubeni
Vangi Gantsho
Yewande Omotoso
Zakes Mda
Zoë Wicomb
Zukiswa Wanner

Sudan
Benson Deng
Leila Aboulela*
Mende Nazer
Tayeb Salih
Zeinab Badawi

Tanzania
Mohamed Yunus Rafiq

Uganda
Davina Kawuma
Dilman Dila
Glaydah Namukasa
Harriet Anena
Hellen Nyana
Jackee Budesta Batanda
Lillian A Aujo
Monica Arac De Nyeko*
Moses Isegawa
Sylvia Tamale

Zambia
Efemia Chela
Namwali Serpell*
Zukiswa Wanner

Zimbabwe
Bongani Kona
Brian Chikwava*
Charles Mungoshi
Dambisa Moyo
Ellah Wakatama Allfrey
Irene Sabatini
Ivor W. Hartmann
Melissa Tandiwe
Nevanji Mandanhire
Noviolet Bulawayo*
Novuyo Rosa Tsdhuma
Peter Mutanda
Petina Gappah
Stanlake Samkange
Tendai Huchu
Tsitsi Dangarembga
Yvonne Vera

 

 

* = Shortlist for Caine Prize

+ = my personal favorite

A big thank you to Swaye, A. Kori Anya Links of Book Buddy Namibia and everyone who has helped contribute to this list.