CANEX WKND 2026

CANEX prize for publishing

Celebrating the Best in African-Caribbean Publishing

APPLY NOW

Applications Open

14 May 2026

Application Deadline

30 June 2026

Top Prize

$20,000 USD

Winners Announced

November 2026 Lagos, Nigeria

About the prize

Africa accounts for a small share of the global publishing market and continues to rely heavily on imported books and foreign publishing structures. Despite a growing pool of writers, African and Caribbean publishers face persistent challenges: limited capital, constrained distribution networks, and low visibility in global rights markets.

The CANEX Prize for Publishing addresses this gap directly — not by rewarding individual titles alone, but by recognising the publishers who produce, own, and monetise African-Caribbean intellectual property. Publishers who demonstrate excellence in editorial quality, design, innovation, and reach.

Delivered as part of CANEX Book Factory 2026, the Prize contributes to long-term intellectual property development, intra-African cultural trade, and the sustainability of Africa-Caribbean’'s creative economy.

PRIZE OBJECTIVES

Intra-African Trade

Promoting trade in cultural goods across Africa and the Caribbean.

Institutional Strength

Supporting African and Caribbean-owned creative enterprises and publishing infrastructure.

IP Ownership

Strengthening Africa's intellectual property generation and ownership.

Downstream Value

Feeding film, audiovisual, and other downstream creative industries.

ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA

Open to trade books in English, French, Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese, Spanish, and any African language, initially published in a member country of the African Union, or a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during the eligibility year. Submissions are subject to eligibility verification before adjudication. Unpublished manuscripts are not eligible.

The publication date must be within the eligibility window of the preceding calendar year, beginning from 1 January and ending on 31 December. For the inaugural year, books published in the preceding two years will be eligible.

CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY

By submitting a title, publishers agree to the following: - If selected as a Finalist, the publisher will share 10% of their prize money with the author(s) of the book - If selected as a Finalist, the publisher must send a representative to the CANEX Book Factory events — travel costs covered by CANEX - Each publisher must designate one contact person for all Prize-related communications - The publisher is responsible for ensuring the author is aware of the book's entry - The CANEX Book Factory reserves the right to amend the timeline, venue, or format of Prize events in response to unforeseen circumstances.

JUDGING CRITERIA

1. Editorial Quality — The standard of editing, writing development, and overall intellectual rigour. 2. Design & Production — The quality of book design, typography, cover, print or digital production. 3. Innovation — Originality in form, content, publishing model, or approach — including new voices, formats, and practices. 4. Distribution & Reach — Evidence of effective distribution strategies — continental, diaspora, or global. 5. Cultural Impact — The book's contribution to African literary culture, public discourse, and the broader creative ecosystem.

PRIZE MONEY

THE CEREMONY

Winners are announced and celebrated at the CANEX Book Factory ceremony, part of CANEX WKND 2026 — Lagos, Nigeria, 5–8 November 2026.

PREVIOUS EDITION - 2025 SHORTLIST

Five outstanding works recognised by the 2025 CANEX Publishing Prize Jury — a testament to the depth and vitality of African publishing today.

Half Portraits Under Water

Dennis Mũgaa

Dear Zimi

Chiziterem Chijioke

No Pink In A Rainbow

Angel Patricks Amegbe

Broken: Not a Halal Love Story

Fatima Bala

The Comrade's Wife

Barbara Boswell

THE WINNER OF THE 2025 PUBLISHING PRIZE

In Silence My Heart Speaks

Thobeka Yose Publisher: Karavan Press

The Comrade's Wife

Barbara Boswell

HOW TO APPLY

STEP ONE

Confirm your publishing house is African or Caribbean -owned and operating within Africa or a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Verify your submission was first published in Africa or the Caribbean. Review all criteria carefully before proceeding.

STEP TWO

Gather your submission materials: the book, publisher information, distribution evidence, and a statement of editorial process. Full requirements are detailed in the application form.

STEP THREE

Complete the online application via the Evalato platform. Submissions open 14th May 2026 and close 30th June 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

STEP FOUR

All eligible submissions are reviewed by the independent jury. Applicants are notified at each stage of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my self-published book eligible?

Can an author submit their own book for consideration?

Is it possible to submit a book for consideration even though the entry form deadline has passed?

Can a Publisher submit more than one book for consideration?

Are graphic novels, graphic memoirs, and/or comics eligible for the CANEX Prize for Publishing?

Who are the administrators of the CANEX Prize for Publishing? What is CANEX?

When will the publisher be notified if a book entered for consideration is on the Longlist?

What if I have questions that aren’t answered here?