In our past First Draft interviews, we asked leading African writers about the most compelling characters they have encountered in books. Here’s what they told us.
Ahead of the official, public launch of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo state, set for 2025, MOWAA director Ore Disu discusses her vision for Africa’s most ambitious cultural institution yet.
Obidike Arinze Nnanyelu, who created the Visual History of Nigerian Hair illustration series, discusses what it means as an artist to document hair-making in Nigeria and unpack its cultural significance.
As the holiday season approaches, we asked writers and booksellers—including Theresa Lola, Noo Saro-Wiwa, and Adedayo Agarau—for their top book recommendations to gift a loved one. Here’s what they told us.
Ghanaian writer and author of The Hundred Wells of Salaga, Ayesha Harruna Attah, says she was inspired to write her latest novel during the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘The inspiration for Zainab Takes New York came from being stuck indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the uncertainty of those first months of the pandemic, I thought to myself: write what you’ve always wanted to write—and that turned out to be a romantic comedy.’
Author of Face Me I Face You and co-founder of Sprinng, Oyindamola Shoola, is committed to creating a space where African writers can grow, thrive, and be celebrated for their unique contributions: ‘Sprinng was founded in 2016, inspired by the challenges my co-founder, Kanyinsola Olorunnisola, and I faced as young African writers. We recognized the limited support and resources available for writers on the continent. This gap often forces writers to seek opportunities abroad with limited resources to support them.’
Nigerian writer and author of Water Baby, Chioma Okereke, is excited to see more Nigerian writers branching out beyond literary fiction: ‘More writers are emerging in genres like historical fiction, romance, science fiction, and beyond. It is encouraging, after so much pigeonholing, that we are finally witnessing more breakthroughs in other genres, which is hopefully inspiring new authors.’
Co-founder of Rovingheights Bookstore, Tobi Eyinade, disagrees with the belief that Africans do not read: ‘Rovingheights would not be here after nine years if that sentiment holds true. People often say Africans don’t read, yet we have managed to build a thriving book business despite the daunting challenges. Africans do read. While the numbers may not match those of other continents, we have come a long way.’
In our past First Draft interviews, we asked leading African writers about the contemporary books they believe will become classics in the future. Here’s what they told us.
Kenyan writer and author of Half Portraits Under Water, Dennis Mugaa, believes that President William Ruto’s administration is authoritarian: ‘Young people genuinely want a better country, but we are living in a country that has been slowly sliding into authoritarianism over the past two years, since President Ruto’s government took over. Beyond that, his leadership has been very poor.’
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