Closed
Submissions Closed
The submission window for the inaugural prize closed on May 31, 2026. Review of manuscripts is now underway.
Inaugural Edition • Submissions Closed
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.
View Submission Guidelines →Status
Submissions for the 2026 Prize are Now Closed
The submission portal closed on May 31, 2026. Stay tuned for the shortlist and winner announcements.
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