Longlist
2026 Longlist Announced
Announcing the 30 longlisted suites for the inaugural prize, selected from 356 submissions across Africa and the diaspora.
Inaugural Edition • 2026 Longlist Announced
The Alhaji Arole
Agarawu African
Poetry Prize
"Sounding the Gong of the Black Lyric"Honoring excellence in African poetry. A celebration of the voices that shape our literary heritage and inspire generations to come.
Get notified about shortlist and winner announcements.
Official Announcement
The 2026 Longlist Is Now Live
Selected from 356 submissions across Africa and the diaspora. Discover the 30 longlisted suites sounding the gong of the Black lyric.
About The Prize
Celebrating African
Literary Excellence
The Alhaji Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize honors the legacy of one of Africa's most distinguished patrons of the arts, recognizing exceptional poetic voices from across the continent.
Open to poets of African descent worldwide, the prize celebrates work that speaks to the richness of African experience, heritage, and imagination.
Learn More About The PrizeLatest