Afritondo Short Story Prize 2026

The Afritondo Short Story Prize celebrates outstanding fiction from Black and African writers worldwide. Each year, the prize invites entries that creatively address a chosen theme, showcasing fresh perspectives and imaginative storytelling.

This year’s theme is “transition”. What happens when a place, a system, a people are in the process of becoming, or become something else? How much change is too much? When does transitioning become unbearable, unpardonable? And how do people respond to it? What do people learn from it? They’re always looking for stories that surprise , that take risks with imagination and language. An ideal story for the prize will offer a unique interpretation of the theme, reveal something sly, something unexpected about the human condition, and leave them gasping days after they’ve put the story away.

Submissions are open to all writers with African or Black heritage, whether emerging or established. Stories must be original and between 3,000 and 5,000 words in English.

The winning writer will receive $1,000 and four finalists will also receive $100 each. The entire longlist will be published in Afritondo’s global anthology.

The deadline for submissions is 24 December 2025.

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Enquiries about submissions should be directed to Afrintondo. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this call is run by Afritondo, not the Commonwealth Foundation.