About The Prize

The Alhaji Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize seeks to showcase excellence in African poetry while honoring the legacy and contributions of Alhaji Arole Agarawu—a songwriter, photographer, and musician—to African oral traditions.

In its inaugural year, the foundation will recognize poets who demonstrate exceptional craft, cultural insight, and innovative use of language in their work, elevate African voices in contemporary poetry, and foster a deeper appreciation for the continent's rich literary heritage.

The prize takes its inspiration from the incredible work already being done through the African Poetry Book Fund and the Evaristo African Poetry Prize (formerly the Brunel Poetry Prize).

This year, the foundation will award:

• The Arole Agarawu African Poetry Prize, awarded to any writer who identifies as African or a descendant of Africa (in the many ways this can be interpreted) for a suite of 10 poems, selected by the guest judge.
• The Arole Grayling Wraith Prize, generously supported by Grayling and Wraith, awarded to any writer living on the African continent for a suite of 10 poems nominated by the board. In addition to the cash prize, Grayling and Wraith will produce a production-grade video of a selected poem by the winning poet.

Each submission must consist of 10 poems that form a coherent suite or body of work.