9mobile Prize for Literature (formerly Etisalat Prize for Literature)

Established: 2013
Organizer: 9mobile (formerly Etisalat Nigeria)
Category: General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Newcomer
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around March–May
Status: Active

Description

9mobile Prize for Literature (formerly Etisalat Prize for Literature) was established in 2013 by Etisalat Nigeria, an annual literary prize honoring first published fiction works (30,000 words or more) by African authors. Winners receive £15,000 prize money, a fellowship at University of East Anglia, Samsung Galaxy Note, engraved Montblanc Meisterstück, and support such as book tours for winners and shortlisted authors, and publishers' purchase and donation of 1000 copies of shortlisted works. Etisalat Nigeria was renamed 9mobile in 2017, and the prize name was changed. There was a hiatus in 2017.

Prize

Main Prize: Winner: £15,000 prize money, University of East Anglia fellowship, Samsung Galaxy Note, engraved Montblanc Meisterstück. Additionally, book tours and support such as purchase and donation of shortlisted works.
Cash Prize: 15,000 GBP

University of East Anglia (UEA) fellowship (mentoring and writing support)
Samsung Galaxy Note (provided to winner and shortlist)
Engraved Montblanc Meisterstück (winner)
Book tours for winner in 3 African cities, shortlist in 2 cities
Publishers purchase 1000 copies each of shortlisted works for donation to schools, libraries, etc.

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Preliminary selection (Longlist)	Longlist (usually around 9 titles) selected by judging committee appointed each year	Unknown (longlist usually narrowed to 9 titles)	Announced on official website and press releases
Secondary selection (Shortlist)	Judging panel (usually 3-4 members, with chair; writers, scholars, editors, etc.)	Approx. 33% from longlist to shortlist (e.g., 9→3)	Announced officially and via press releases
Final selection (Winner)	Same judging panel conducts final deliberation and selects 1 winner	1 winner from shortlist (approx. 33%)	Announced at award ceremony and on official website/press releases (e.g., ceremony in Lagos may be held)

Preliminary selection (Longlist)

Judges Longlist (usually around 9 titles) selected by judging committee appointed each year

Pass Rate Unknown (longlist usually narrowed to 9 titles)

Announcement Announced on official website and press releases

Secondary selection (Shortlist)

Judges Judging panel (usually 3-4 members, with chair; writers, scholars, editors, etc.)

Pass Rate Approx. 33% from longlist to shortlist (e.g., 9→3)

Announcement Announced officially and via press releases

Final selection (Winner)

Judges Same judging panel conducts final deliberation and selects 1 winner

Pass Rate 1 winner from shortlist (approx. 33%)

Announcement Announced at award ceremony and on official website/press releases (e.g., ceremony in Lagos may be held)

Criteria

Debut (first published) fiction work by author of African nationality
Work length of 30,000 words or more
Publication date within past 24 months at time of submission
Published in English or has English translation
Literary originality, style, narrative completion, and quality as a published work are evaluation criteria