Africa Writes is the Royal African Society’s annual literature and book festival that takes place at the British Library over a three-day weekend every July. Since its inception in 2012, over 6,000 people have attended Africa Writes and the festival has also garnered an international following and reputation.

Now in its 5th year, Africa Writes has become the UK’s leading platform celebrating the best contemporary African writing.

The continuing wealth of literary talent stemming from Africa and the diaspora is incredibly vast and diverse and Africa Writes is dedicated to making sure that these talent is harnessed.

Africa Writes showcases established and emerging literary talent from across the African continent and its diaspora, connecting UK audiences to leading African authors, poets, publishers and experts.

So far, it has hosted some of the biggest names in African literature, including Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and son Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, Ama Ata Aidoo, Wole Soyinka, Ben Okri and Nawal El Saadawi.

Also, new writing has been championed, hosting the Caine Prize shortlisted writers every year, and presenting fresh new talent, such as poet Warsan Shire (the first Young Poet Laureate for London), queer artist and writer Diriye Osman, and playwrights Bola Agbaje and Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, to mention but a few.

2017 will be Africa Writes’ 6th year and support would be most welcomed.

Africa Writes relies on a core team as well as a community of contributors, partners and friends that work together each year to make the festival happen. In the past its funding has come primarily from the Arts Council England and a small number of private donors.

Africa Writes is however, reaching out to the public to help bring the festival back in 2017.

To help keep the programme free and open to all, a crowdfunding target of £5,000 which amounts to one fifth of the total budge.

The donations will be the starting point for the rest of the purposed fundraising throughout the year.

Adebayo Emuleomo