Canex prize will promote vibrant literary culture, foster sustainable business ecosystem — Wale Okediran

Across Africa, book industry stakeholders are excited about the recently launched Canex Prize for African Publishing established by Afreximbank, Narrative Landscape Press, and the James and Grace Adichie Foundation. The prize aims to be an effective, indigenous successor to the NOMA Award for Publishing in Africa, which ceased in 2009. To judge the inaugural Canex prize, three book industry luminaries were chosen: Wale Okediran (Nigeria), Renée Edwige Dro (Côte d’Ivoire), and Ashraf Aboul-Yazid (Egypt). The inaugural winner of the Prize was Cassava Republic Press, recognised for publishing, Female Fear Factory: Unravelling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence by Pumla Dineo Gqola. The prize includes a $20,000 award. To learn more about the vision for the prestigious prize, DETOUN GABY-WILLIAMS recently sat down with Wale Okediran, chairman of the jury.

The Canex Prize for African Publishing is a glamorous prize with a cash value of $20, 000. Tell us a little about the organisers of the prize and their goals for the prize.  
The CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa, launched in Cairo in November 2023 on the sidelines of the Intra African Trade Fair (IATF2023), aims to promote a vibrant literary culture across Global Africa and to foster a sustainable business. ecosystem in the literary sector. Initiated by Afreximbank in 2020, CANEX serves as a key driver for development and job creation in Africa, recognising the opportunities within the creative and cultural industries. The award evaluates entries based on the quality of writing, editing, and production, with a particular emphasis on books printed and produced in Africa, as well as those published in indigenous African languages.

What criteria were used to evaluate the submissions, and how do you ensure the judging process remains fair and transparent? 
As judges, we were expected to, ‘assess a publisher’s work on a book, focusing on the physical quality of the publication and the editorial courage displayed in publishing significant subjects’. In addition, an efficient and transparent digital scoring platform was used to score and judge the final winners. While submissions for the prize would be open for one month, the judging process would be for a three-month period during which, the long-list of 13 titles, the shortlist of five books, and the eventual winning book, would be decided.

Which categories received the greatest number of submissions and why do you think that happened? 
In the first edition, 85 entries were received from 49 publishers across Africa, representing a diverse range of languages, including English, French, Portuguese and Swahili. The quality of submissions was very high with non-fictional texts having the greatest number of entries. 
 
From these submissions, the prize administrators selected five finalists for their exceptional work. The finalists included: Cassava Republic Press (Nigeria) is the prize winner for Female Fear Factory: Unravelling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence by Pumla Dineo Gqola. This book was praised for its “solid cover design, elegant layout, and contribution to feminist literature.”  Layla Mohamed, Editor at Cassava Republic, received the award on behalf of the publishing house. Jacana Media (South Africa) was honoured for Paperless by Buntu Siwisa, which the judges described as “a beautifully written story of the hidden lives of migrant workers in Africa.” Kelly Mawa, Publishing Assistant at Jacana Media, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Kachifo Limited (Nigeria) was recognised for Half Hour Hara by Ugo Anidi. It was celebrated for being “a delightful and engaging children’s story” with “well-crafted illustrations.” Coco Anetor-Sokei, Managing Editor, collected the award for Kachifo Limited. La Case des Lucioles (Côte d’Ivoire) was shortlisted for Reine Or by Fatou Sy. It was praised for its “brave design and theatrical presentation.”  Masobe Books (Nigeria) was shortlisted for When We Were Fireflies by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, which the judges commended for its “meticulous writing and eye-catching cover design.” Othuke Ominiabohs, Managing Director, received the medal for Masobe Books. 

I know the prize welcomes children’s literature. What themes did you find recurring in the children’s literature entries? What new approaches or fresh themes did you identify? 
There were a variety of children’s literature such as fiction, non- fiction, poetry and picture books. Adventure stories were prominent while the SDG themes could be said to be an emerging theme in the collection. 

Can you share insights on the impact the Canex Prize for African Publishing is intended to have on recipients, particularly, the winner, in terms of visibility and opportunities?  
  The CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa aims to promote a vibrant literary culture across Global Africa and foster a sustainable business ecosystem in the literary sector. Initiated by Afreximbank in 2020, CANEX serves as a key driver for development and job creation in Africa, recognising the opportunities within the creative and cultural industries. In this wise, the winner of the Prize will enjoy greater and global visibility and exposure to the business sector in its varied activities. 

Give us some key points from the report you presented at the awards ceremony in your role as Chair of the Jury 
The summary of my report as the Chair of the Jury was; “In line with our mandate to judge the book as a physical object while also paying attention to its editorial work, including topical relevance and editorial risk’, the judges recognise the selected books as having met the required standard of ‘exceptional work and professionalism.” 

What were some of the highlights of the prize-giving ceremony, and how did the event contribute to the overall celebration of African literature? 
The award ceremony for the inaugural CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa, a $20,000 award, took place at the Sheraton Algiers. The event held during an exclusive dinner featuring an African Union-themed menu curated by chefs from Algeria, Trinidad, and Nigeria. The dinner was hosted by the Honourable Minister of Culture and Arts of Algeria, Mrs Soraya Mouloudji. In addition to the prize money was the prize trophy, which according to Dr Eghosa Imasuen; “is a bronze sculpture crafted by the famed bronze casters of Benin City, Nigeria and engraved with the Adinkra symbol nkyinkyim, symbolising resilience and adaptability.”

Also at the event were Mr Omar Ben Yedder of IC Publications and Ms Lavaille Lavette of One Street Books, who each gave short speeches on the importance of telling African stories. They also underscored how vital it is to invest in the continent’s rich literary heritage. 

As Chair of the Judges, before the representatives from the winning publishing house as well as those on the shortlist, collected their medals, I read out the citations for each shortlisted book. The medals were presented to the finalists by dignitaries that included Mrs Soraya Mouloudji (Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts), Mrs Kanayo Awani (Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank at Afreximbank), and H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma (Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission). Also in attendance were the Nigerian Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musa Musawa, as well as that of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh. The global publicity about the event as well as the quality of dignitaries at the event was a great celebration for literature.  

Like the Prize for Publishing in Africa, the Canex Workshop for Writers and Publishers aims to strengthen the book industry. Tell us what you know about the specific skills or knowledge the organisers intend to impart through this medium. 

According to the organisers, the workshop was dedicated to the art of prose. As part of the larger CANEX Book Factory initiative, which is dedicated to highlighting the book value chain in Africa, the workshop will support and develop literary talent within Africa and its diaspora. The maiden workshop held over 10 days from August 12 to 22, 2024 at a tranquil resort in Aburi, Ghana. Travel, accommodation and meals were provided by CANEX. Writers working in all six official languages of the African Union — Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Kiswahili attended the workshop. Facilitators alongside legal and business professionals provided valuable insights into the legal and commercial aspects of the writing profession. Workshop participants will also have the chance to contribute to an anthology of writing that will be published after the workshop.