Premières lectures
Early readers
For children just beginning with written language: simplicity, clarity and engaging illustrations that support literacy.
Children’s publishing prize · Since 2025
Prix de l’Édition Jeunesse Africaine
Spotlighting the best French-language children’s books published in Africa — and carrying them to young readers across the continent and beyond.
- prize categories
- 4
- titles entered in 2025
- 107
- titles entered in 2026
- 300
- countries in 2026
- 10
2025 laureates
Shortlist 2026Revealed at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, 15 April 2026. Laureates coming soon.
See the shortlistAbout the prize
Born in Lomé. Built to cross borders.
The Prix de l’Édition Jeunesse Africaine spotlights French-language children’s publishing across Africa. Maua Books, an imprint of eKitabu in Nairobi, launched it in 2025, out of collaboration among Francophone publishers at the Forum des éditeurs jeunesse d’Afrique in Lomé, Togo.
In its inaugural year, Francophone publishers submitted 107 titles, reviewed by a jury of ten French professors based in Kenya. The aim: that young readers across the continent find diverse stories that reflect African cultures and experiences — and see themselves in the books they read.
Visibility
Recognition that validates African publishers’ creative work and puts their books in front of new readers.
Circulation
French-language children’s books reach regions where they were once hard to find, such as Kenya.
Bridges
Exchange between Francophone and Anglophone communities, and support for French-language learning.
Categories
A prize for every age of reader
From first picture books to teen novels, plus a special mention the jury keeps for work that breaks the mould.
Romans jeunesse
Children’s novels
Longer narratives for middle-grade readers, blending adventure, humour and cultural themes.
Romans ados
Teen novels
Novels that take on identity, friendship and social challenges while staying accessible and engaging.
Mention spéciale
Special recognition
The jury’s honour for work that stands out for originality, cultural significance or innovation.
2026 edition
300 titles. 50 publishers. 10 countries.
In its second year, the prize drew almost three times as many entries as the first.
- Step 1 · DoneSubmissions300 titles entered by 50 publishers from 10 countries.
- Step 2 · DoneJury readingEvery entry read and assessed for quality and cultural resonance.
- Step 3 · 15 April 2026ShortlistRevealed at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Italy.
- Step 4 · Coming soonLaureatesThe 2026 laureates will be announced here.
The 2026 shortlist
Unveiled on 15 April 2026 at the 63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair, in the session “African KidLit: From Scarcity to Innovation” at The Next Chapter Café.
- Premières lecturesTo be announced
- Romans jeunesseTo be announced
- Romans adosTo be announced
- Mention spécialeTo be announced
Questions about the prize? support@eKitabu.com
Laureates
The 2025 laureates
The inaugural prizes, awarded on 24 September 2025 at the Nairobi International Book Fair.
Ludo le Dodo
Ludo le Dodo
Celine Chowa
Fatou et le secret d’anniversaire
Laurence Marianne
Il faut vaincre Trimobe
Andrea Razafi
L’imagier de Tikoulou
Illustrated by Henry Koombes
2026 laureates — coming soon.
This space will hold the second edition’s winners.
An inspiring example of how collaboration can elevate African stories.
“This prize is much more than an award; it’s about creating connections.”