As the literary world looks ahead, a wave of compelling new titles from African and diaspora writers is set to captivate readers in 2026. We consulted experts across three continents – a leading Nigerian publisher, a specialist UK bookshop, and Nairobi's oldest bookstore – to curate a definitive list of upcoming releases and recent highlights.
Anticipated Releases from African Publishers
Rhoda Nuhu, Content and Marketing Manager at Abuja's Cassava Republic Press, highlights several key titles for the coming year. The selection includes vibrant children's literature and powerful adult fiction moving to paperback.
For younger readers, A Bouncy 123 by Sade Fadipe arrives in June. This colourful picture book, set in Nigeria, follows Adanah and her friend Kolade on a playful run through their village. Fadipe is a Nigerian primary schoolteacher and early reading expert based in the UK.
November brings Hassan and Hassana Share Everything, the first children's book from acclaimed author Elnathan John. The story revolves around twins who receive different gifts on their eighth birthday, leading to a touching narrative about kindness and challenging stereotypes.
For adults, May 2026 sees the paperback release of My Own Dear People by Dwight Thompson. This taut, lyrical novel set in Montego Bay, Jamaica, follows Nyjah Messado as he grapples with complicity, masculinity, and a slow pursuit of justice, haunted by a traumatic event from his schooldays.
Also out in paperback in May is The Aquatics by Osvalde Lewat, translated by Maren Baudet-Lackner. The novel centres on Katmé, a politician's wife in the fictional nation of Zambuena, whose friendship with a gay artist puts her regimented life on a collision course with political power.
In July, Mubanga Kalimamukwento's The Shipikisha Club is released in paperback. This poignant blend of family melodrama and courtroom drama examines patriarchy and motherhood through the trial of Sali, accused of murdering her husband.
September features the paperback debut of Pillaging the Dead by Ethiopian author Degol Hailu. This political satire follows university student and street hawker Tarik, whose brutal treatment by a regime catapults him into a dangerous world of activism.
Standout Books by Black Authors in 2025
Carolynn Bain, owner of Brighton's Afrori Books – a shop dedicated to Black authors – shares her favourite publications from 2025. Her picks span thrilling fiction, insightful non-fiction, and captivating memoirs.
She recommends The Scammer by Tiffany D Jackson, a suspenseful young adult thriller ripped from the headlines. For memoir enthusiasts, Firstborn Girls by Bernice L McFadden offers a beautifully crafted look at women and generational impact.
We Were There by Guardian journalist Lanre Bakare provides an incredible examination of Black culture in Britain and its influence beyond London, with a paperback edition due later this year.
Athena Kugblenu's History’s Most Epic Fails, intended for children but adored by adults, uses the comedian's engaging style to reveal hidden historical stories. For a cosy crime twist, Til Death by Busayo Matuluko blends Nigerian family drama with the extravagant world of Nollywood.
Fantasy fans should seek out A Song of Legends Lost by MH Ayinde, a bestselling epic adventure and the first in a promised trilogy.
Essential Reads: The Decade's Bestsellers So Far
Ahmed Aidarus, owner of Nairobi's oldest bookshop, Prestige, and founder of Jahazi Press, points to current shop bestsellers and landmark publications. His selections include profound political analysis and celebrated fiction.
Topping his list is Mahmood Mamdani's Slow Poison: Idi Amin, Yoweri Museveni, and the Making of the Ugandan State. This first-hand account offers an insightful look at Uganda's complex post-independence political landscape.
He also highlights For What Are Butterflies Without Their Wings, the critically acclaimed debut short story collection by Kenyan writer Troy Onyango, exploring love, heartbreak, and belonging.
From his own Jahazi Press, Let Us Conspire and Other Stories features work from talented Kenyan writers like Idza Luhunyo and Kiprop Kimutai, spanning genres from African horror-fantasy to auto-fiction.
The list includes Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Dream Count, her first novel in over a decade, which weaves a vibrant tale of four women across Nigeria and the US. Finally, Damilare Kuku's wildly popular short story collection, Nearly All the Men In Lagos Are Mad, offers a funny and empathetic look at relationships.
This curated guide demonstrates the remarkable depth and diversity of storytelling emerging from African nations and the global diaspora, promising a rich year of reading ahead.
