Shortlist Announced for Witsprouts Storytelling Prize 2025

Witsprouts has officially announced the shortlist for its 2025 Witsprouts Storytelling Prize, a literary initiative designed to revive the rich African tradition of oral storytelling within contemporary performance and narrative arts. Launched in April with the theme Rebooting Legends and Memories, the prize celebrates excellence in contemporary oral storytelling and spotlights emerging storytellers across the continent.

Following a rigorous review process led by esteemed judges, award-winning writer and filmmaker Jude Idada, and author Akanbi Taofeek, three compelling stories have emerged from a competitive pool of entries:

“His Last Safe House” by Debbie Ajom
“Tomorrow Didn’t Die” by Keesh Rowland
“Haunting Song of Promises” by Rachael Ajisafe

These remarkable finalists stood out for their originality, narrative strength, and creative adaptation of oral performance traditions. Their works reflect the prize’s mission to amplify distinctive African stories and inspire a new generation of oral and performance storytellers.

Speaking on the announcement, Tope Akintayo, Director of Witsprouts Global, said:

“We are proud of the depth and diversity of voices this prize has attracted. These storytellers are helping reimagine the oral tradition for modern audiences, and we’re glad to see our efforts creating platforms for emerging talent paying off in such a big way.”

As the competition progresses, each finalist will submit a brand-new story for the final round of evaluation in August. The overall winner, who will receive a ₦500,000 cash prize, will be unveiled during a grand finale and award ceremony scheduled for later in the year.

With support from organizations including Witsprouts Arts and Culture Empowerment Initiative, Moveee Media, StoryRat, Orange Poetry Africa, Rambling Thoughts Bookclub, and the Hill‑Top Creative Arts Foundation, the prize continues to resonate as a contemporary celebration of African heritage.

The Witsprouts Storytelling Prize is one of the several initiatives under Witsprouts’ broader mission to deepen engagement with African arts, culture, and literature. It complements other projects such as Witsprouts Books and the AfroAnthology series, all platforms that empower and amplify emerging creative voices across the continent.