This is a list of prominent and notable writers from Africa. It includes poets, novelists, children's writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country.

Algeria See: List of Algerian writers

Angola See: List of Angolan writers

Benin

Christine Adjahi Gnimagnon, also connected with Senegal Stanislas Adotevi (1934–2024), French-language academic and philosopher Berte-Evelyne Agbo, French-language poet also connected with Senegal Colette Senami Agossou Houeto (1939– ) Julien Alapini (1906–1971), ethnographer and playwright Ryad Assani-Razaki (1981– ) Francis Aupiais (1877–1945), French-born missionary and anthropologist Olympe Bhêly-Quenum (1928– ), writer and journalist Florent Couao-Zotti (1964– ), novelist, writer of comics, plays and short stories Félix Couchoro (1900–1968), novelist, also connected with Togo Richard Dogbeh (1932–2003), also connected with Togo, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire Adelaide Fassinou (1955– ), novelist Dieudonné Gnammankou, writer and historian Paul Hazoumé (1890–1980), novelist Gisèle Hountondji (1954– ), French-language novelist Paulin J. Hountondji (1942–2024), philosopher and politician Béatrice Lalinon Gbado, children's writer Paulin Joachim (1931–2012), poet, journalist and editor Lauryn, also connected with Côte d'Ivoire and Togo, born in France (1978–) Jean Pliya (1931–2015), playwright and short story writer José Pliva (1966– ), actor and playwright

Botswana

Unity Dow (1959–), judge, human rights activist, writer and minister of basic education Bessie Head (1937–1986), novelist and short-story writer born in South Africa Leetile Disang Raditladi (1910–1971), playwright and poet Barolong Seboni (1957–), poet and academic

Burkina Faso See: List of Burkinabe writers

Burundi

Esther Kamatari (1951–) Ketty Nivyabandi (1978–)"Ketty Nivyabandi", World Literature Today, March 2014. Gaël Faye (1982–)

Cameroon See: List of Cameroonian writers

Central African Republic

Pierre Makombo Bamboté (1932–), novelist and poet Etienne Goyémidé (1942–1997), novelist, poet and short story writer: Le Silence de la Foret Blaise N'Djehoya (1953–), novelist Cyriaque Robert Yavoucko (1953–), novelist Adrienne Yabouza (1965–), novelist

Chad

Salma Khalil Alio (1982–), poet, short story writer and artist. Khayar Oumar Deffalah (c. 1944–), politician and autobiographical writerAcheikh ibn Oumar, Fiche de lecture de: "Fils de nomade, les mémoires du dromadaire" – Khayar Oumar Defallah , 11 February 2010. Ali Abdel-Rhamane Haggar (1960–), economist and writer Marie-Christine Koundja (1957–), novelist and diplomat Koulsy Lamko (1959–), playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturer Joseph Brahim Seid (1927–1980), writer and politician Ahmat Taboye, literary critic

Congo (Brazzaville)

André-Patient Bokiba, academic Adèle Caby-Livannah (1957– ) Emmanuel Dongala (1941– ) Mambou Aimée Gnali (1935– ) Bill Kouélany (1965– ) Sony Lab'ou Tansi (1947–1995), born in Congo-Kinshasa Henri Lopes (1937–2023), born in Congo-Kinshasa Alain Mabanckou (1966– ) Jadelin Mabiala Gangbo (1976– ) Jean-Pierre Makouta-Mboukou (1929–2012) Martial Malinda, also known as Sylvain Bemba / Michel Belabin (1934–1995) Jean Malonga (1907–1985) Guy Menga (1935– ) Florence Lina Mouissou (1972– ), novelist Maxime n'Debeka (1944– ) Victor N'Gembo-Mouanda (1969– ) Dieudonné Niangouna (1976– ), playwright, novelist, and poet Theophile Obenga (1936– ) Martial Sinda (c.1930– ) Tchicaya U Tam'si (1931–1988) Jean-Baptiste Tati-Loutard (1938–2009) Jeannette Balou Tchichelle (1947–2005) Marie-Leontine Tsibinda (1936–1958) Brigitte Yengo

Congo (Democratic Republic) – formerly Zaïre

Léonie Abo (1945– ), autobiographical writer J'ongungu Lokolé Bolamba (1913–1990), poet Raïs Neza Boneza (1979– ), poet and peace researcherMatt Meyer, Elavie Ndura-Ouédraogo, Seeds of New Hope: Pan-African Peace Studies for the 21st Century, 2009, p. 325. Amba Bongo, writer and advocate for refugees Maguy Kabamba (1960– ), writer and translator Kama Sywor Kamanda (1952– ), writer and poet Charles Djungu-Simba Kamatenda (1953– ), journalist, teacher, publisher, and writer Paul Lomami-Tshibamba (1914–1985), novelist, born in Congo-Brazzaville Alain Mabanckou (1966 - ), novelist Ngal Mbwil a Mpaang (1933– ), novelist Buabua wa Kayembe Mubadiate (1950– ), playwright V. Y. Mudimbe (1941–2025), philosopher, academic and author Fiston Mwanza Mujila (1981– ), novelist Jimi Yuma (1953-), short story writer and graphic novel script writer Kavidi Wivine N'Landu, poet Clémentine Nzuji (1944– ), poet Sony Labou Tansi (1947–1995), novelist and poet Samy Tshileu (1998–present), theologian, apologist, philosopher and authorSamy Tshileu, The Boy in Red Shorts. Purpose Spirit Publishing; 2020. Frederick Kambemba Yamusangie, novelist, playwright and poet Lye M. Yoka, playwright and short story writer Batukezanga Zamenga (1933–2000), novelist and essayist Sinzo Aanza (1990-), writer, playwright and visual artist Sandra Uwiringiyimana (1994– ), human rights activist, author of How Dare The Sun Rise

Côte d'Ivoire

Josette Abondio (b. 1949), novelist, children's writer, playwright Marguerite Abouet, born in Abidjan (b. 1971), writer of graphic novels Francois-Joseph Amon d'Aby (1913–2007) Raphael Atta Koffi (b. 1942), writer and playwright Séry Bailly (1948–2018), academic, politician and short-story writer Angèle Bassorá-Ouédraogo, also connected with Burkina Faso (b. 1967), poet and journalist Joseph Miezan Bognini (1936–2017), poet Fatou Bolli (b. 1952), novelist Tanella Boni (b. 1954), poet and novelist Micheline Coulibaly, born in Vietnam (1950–2003), short story writer and writer for children Bernard Binlin Dadié (1916–2019), novelist, playwright, poet and politician Jeanne de Cavally (1926–1992), children's book writer Gaston Demand Goh (b. 1940), playwright and accountant Henriette Diabate (b. 1935), politician and writer Mamadou Diallo (1920–1980), poet Richard Dogbeh, also connected with Benin, Senegal and Togo (1932–2003), novelist and educator Bertin B. Doutéo (1927–1990), poet Fatou Fanny-Cissé (1971–2018), novelist, short story writer, journalist and editor Germain Coffi Gadeau (1913–2000), playwright Gauz (author name of Patrick Armand-Gbaka Brede, b. 1971) Werewere-Liking Gnepo (b. 1950), also connected with Cameroon, writer, playwright and performer Gilbert G. Groud (b. 1956), painter, illustrator and author Josué Guébo (b. 1972), poet and short-story writer Flore Hazoumé (b. 1959), writer known for short storiesFlore Hazoumé, UWA.edu, Retrieved 7 April 2016. Simone Kaya (1937–2007), considered the first Ivorian woman writer Fatou Kéita (b. 1965) Venance Konan (b. 1958), journalist and writer Maurice Koné (1932–1980), poet Adjoua Flore Kouame (b. 1964), novelist Ahmadou Kourouma (1927–2003), novelist Aké Loba (1927–2012), novelist Michelle Lora (b. 1968), children's writer, academic Charles Nokan (1936–2022), novelist and playwright Véronique Tadjo (b. 1955), poet, novelist and artist Regina Yaou (1955–2017), novelist Zaourou Zadi (1938–2012), playwright

Djibouti

Waberi Abdourahman (1965–), novelist, poet and academic Mouna-Hodan Ahmed (1972–), French-language novelist

Egypt See: List of Egyptian writers

Equatorial Guinea

María Nsué Angüe (1945–2017), novelist and writer Justo Bolekia Boleká (1954–), professor and Bubi writer Juan Balboa Boneke (1938–2014), politician and writer Raquel Ilombé (1938–1992), Spanish-language writer Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel (1966–), Annobonese writer Donato Ndongo-Bidyogo (1950–), writer and journalist

Eritrea

Hamid Barole Abdu (1953–), non-fiction Beyene Haile (1941–2012), Tigrinya-language writer, novelist, playwright and public administrator Reesom Haile (2003–), Tigrinya-language poetCharles Cantalupo, Reesom Haile's poetry Saba Kidane (1978–), Tigrinya poet Hannah Pool (1974–), journalist Alemseged Tesfai (1944–), English-language playwrightJane Plastow, "Alemseged Tesfai: a playwright in the service of Eritrean liberation", in Banham et al, African theatre in development, 1999, pp. 54–60.

Ethiopia

Sahle Selassie (c. 1795–1847) Haddis Alemayehu (1910–2003) Michael Daniel Ambatchew (1967–2012) Āfawarq Gabra Iyasus (1868–1947) Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin (1936–2006) Moges Kebede Tāddasa Lībān Tsehay Melaku Dinaw Mengestu (1978–) Maaza Mengiste (1974–) Nega Mezlekia (1958–) Martha Nasibù (1931–2020) Lemn Sissay (1967–) Hama Tuma (1949–) Mammo Wudneh (1931–2012) Birhānu Zarīhun (1933/4–1987) Nega Mezlekia (1958–) Etalem Eshete (1968–)

Gabon

Jean-Baptiste Abessolo (1932–), educator and short story writer Peggy Lucie Auleley, French-language poet and novelist Bessora (1968–, in Belgium), novelist and short story writer Charline Effah (1977–), French-language novelist and educator Rene Maran, born near Martinique (1887–1960), poet and novelist Chantal Magalie Mbazoo-Kassa, French-language poet and novelist Justine Mintsa (1967–), French-language novelist Nadège Noëlle Ango Obiang (1973–), French-language short story writer Nadia Origo (1977–), novelist and publisher Honorine Ngou (1957–), novelist and academic Vincent de Paul Nyonda (1918–1995), playwright Maurice Okoumba-Nkoghe (1954–), poet and teacher Laurent Owondo (1948–2019), playwright Angèle Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954–2010), novelist

Gambia

Janet Badjan-Young (1937–), playwright

William Conton (1925–2003), educator, historian and novelist, also associated with Sierra LeoneZell, Hans M., Helene Silver, A Reader's Guide to African Literature: to 1972, Heinemann Educational, 1972, pp. 134–5, ."William Conton" in Deborah Manley Growing Up, Taylor & Francis, p. 50. Hassoum Ceesay (1971 -), historian, curator, educator, scholar and novelist

Ebrima Ceesay (1966-), academic, author, scholar and former editor

Lamin Ceesay (1990–), writer and translator.

Ebou Dibba (1943–2000), novelistWhiteman, Kaye, "Ebou Dibba", The Guardian, 3 April 2001.

Dayo Forster (), novelist

Hassan Bubacar Jallow (1950–), law books, politician and barristerBiography in Commonwealth Secretariat]. . Retrieved 10 May 2012. Augusta Jawara (1924–1981), playwright Joseph Henry Joof (1960–) Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof (1924–2011), historian, politician and Pan-Africanist"Burning Issues : TRIBUTE TO ALHAJI A.E. CHAM JOOF". Exclusive interview in "Foroyaa Panorama" column, Foroyaa. . Retrieved 10 May 2012.Jammeh, Momodou, "Tribute to Late Alhagie A. E. Cham Joof", The Point, 11 May 2011. (Cham Joof pictured with the author.) Retrieved 10 May 2012. Tamsier Joof (1973–)

Augusta Mahoney (1924–1981), playwright and activist for women's rights Florence Mahoney (1929–), author and historian

Sulayman S. Nyang (1944–2018), historian and lecturer

Lenrie Peters (1932−2009), poet and novelist, also associated with Sierra LeoneDe la Fontaine, Jean, "Adieu Lenrie Peters", The Point Newspaper, 28 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2012.

Tijan Sallah (1958–), poet, publisherArana, R. Victoria, "The Facts on File Companion to World Poetry", Infobase Publishing (2008), pp. 3, 386–527, Sally Singhateh (1977–), poet and novelist Lamin Sanneh (1942–2019), scholar, novelist, historian, and poet Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe (1990–), novelist, scholar, playwright, poet, and event organizer

Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784), poetGates, Henry Louis, Phillis Wheatley: America's Second Black Poet and Her Encounters with the Founding Fathers, Basic Civitas Books, 2003, p. 5.

Ghana See: List of Ghanaian writers

Guinea

Kesso Barry (born 1948), autobiographer also associated with Senegal Saïdou Bokoum (born 1945), novelist Sory Camara, anthropologist Ahmed Tidjani Cissé (born 1942), playwright Koumanthio Zeinab Diallo (born 1956), poet and novelist Alioum Fantouré (born 1938), economist and novelist Keita Fodeba (1921–1969), actor, politician and writer