13 African Books That Will Set 2025 Ablaze

We have curated a list of unreleased books to look forward from African authors in 2025. So, grab your bookmarks and bless your shelves—here are 13

The Future Is African: 13 African Books That Will Set 2025 Ablaze

There was a time when African writers were as rare as rain in the Sahara; when our stories were reduced to nothing, but tales of slavery and inferiority. When our voices were shackled, and we were too scared to write about the things that mattered most to us.

However, in the past decades, there had been some significant transitions resulting to growing positive perception, reception and reverence of African stories. Poetically, in reference to the styles, and their poignancy imbibed messages, “African writers are a symphony of tongues refusing silence, creating magic with their words/ and stories bursting with culture and creativity.”

African literature has truly come a long away with writers, both on the continent and in the diaspora consistently producing excellent work. Recently, authors have become bolder, more audacious with the kind of books they write. We have books diving deep into identity, gender, postcolonial trauma, urban life—and yes, queerness. Writers have pushed back the limiting boundaries of genres, blending magical realism, speculative fiction, epic fantasy and raw social commentary. The literary works of recent times have featured exploration of environmental sustainability, social justice, and the impact of technology on Africa.

This year, the storytelling magic is unhinged, innovative and unapologetic, perfectly capturing the realities of the heart, humor and absolute chaos of being African. In 2025, we have books from remarkable authors to look forward to.

We have curated a list of unreleased books to look forward from African authors in 2025. 

So, grab your bookmarks and bless your shelves—here are 13 books that will set 2025 ablaze:

1. The Tiny Things Are Heavier by Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo

Expected Release: 24 June

The Mind Behind The Magic:

Esther Okonkwo is a talented Nigerian author. She is an assistant professor of creative writing at the Uinversity Of Michigan. Her works have appeared in Isele Magazine, Guercina and Catapult. Okonkwo is skilled at writing introspective narratives that delve into the complexities of identity, migration and the bond of family. Her style of storytelling- both intimate and expansive- will immediately sweep you off your feet.

Synopsis:

Sommy, a Nigerian woman, embarks on a journey to the U.S. for graduate studies, leaving behind her brother Mezie, who recently attempted suicide. As she navigates the challenges of a new environment, Sommy forms intricate relationships, including one with Bryan, a biracial American with Nigerian roots. A trip back to Lagos unravels unexpected events, forcing Sommy to confront her past and redefine her understanding of love and belonging.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf

This debut offers a poignant exploration of migration, mental health, and the intricate dance of relationships. Okonkwo's prose is tender yet powerful, making it a must-read for those seeking stories that resonate on both personal and universal levels.

2. Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osunde

Expected Release: 22 July

The Mind Behind The Magic:

Eloghosa Osunde, acclaimed for their debut Vagabonds!, is a Nigerian writer and a multidisciplinary artist.. Their work has been featured in Catapult, Guernica, Berlin Quarterly and the Paris Review. Their debut novel Vagabonds as a finalist for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. They are the prestigious winner of the 2021 Paris Review Plimpton Prize For Fiction

Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of Lagos, this audacious, boundary breaking novel interlaces the lives of queer, non-binary, trans, and polyamorous individuals as they navigate love, art, and self-discovery. Inspired by Osunde's short story "Good Boy," the narrative delves into the fictions we create for survival and the truths we uncover in the process. Osunde’s characters are simply chasing for love, while they grapple with desire, fear, time and God. As they work to find their true selves, we understand how they write necessary fiction for their lives as a means for survival.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf

Necessary Fiction is a bold exploration of identity and freedom. Osunde's storytelling is both raw and lyrical, offering readers a transformative experience that challenges perceptions and celebrates authenticity. This book is for the audacious ones. The ones who dare to live their lives boldly.

3. Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi

Exoected Release: 27 May

The Mind Behind The Magic:

Tochi Onyebuchi, best known for Riot Baby and Goliath, is a legend in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. His 2020 novlla, Riot Baby, received an Alex Award from the American Library Association and the World Fatasy Award in 2021. Riot Baby was a finalist for th Hugo, the Nebula, the Locus. Goliath won the Ilube Nommo Award For Best speculative Fiction By An African. He masterfully blends speculative fiction with social commentary. His narratives often explore themes of justice, identity, and the complexities of postcolonial societies.

Synopsis:

This book is fantasy at its best.

In a postcolonial West African setting, private investigator Boubacar finds himself entangled in a mystery that threatens the fragile balance between indigenous factions and colonial powers. When a bleeding woman show up at his doorway, only to vanish just as quickly Bouba is enmeshed in the secrets of a city boiling on the brink of violence As secrets unravel, Bouba confronts his own past and the choices that define him.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf:

This fantasy noir offers a gripping tale of intrigue and self-discovery. Onyebuchi's rich world-building and nuanced characters make Harmattan Season a standout in contemporary African literature. This is the kind of fiction that will have you by the throat turning page after page because you simply need to know wat happens next.

4. This Kind Of Trouble By Tochi Eze

Expected Release: 4 August

The Mind Behind The Magic:

 Tochi Eze, a Nigerian writer and lawyer, brings a fresh perspective to narratives of love, identity, and generational trauma. Her short story “The Americanisation Of Kambili” was published by Catapult and named as on e o “Ten Outstanding Storis To Read In 2023”. Her storytelling is both evocative and deeply rooted in cultural contexts.

Synopsis:

This is a gripping and emotional tale of forbidden love. A story about an estranged couple who are brought together to reckon with the events that tor their family apart decades ago. Spanning from 1960s Lagos to 2005, this novel traces the tumultuous relationship between Margaret and Benjamin. Their love story, marked by secrets and mental health struggles, reverberates through generations, culminating in a family reckoning decades later.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf:

Eze's debut is a heartfelt exploration of love's endurance amidst societal and personal challenges. Her nuanced portrayal of characters and settings offers readers a deeply immersive experience.

5. Secrets Of The First School by T.L Huchu

Expected Release: 16 October

The Mind Behind The Magic:

T.L. Huchu iis a Zimbabwean author, best known for his novels - The Hairdresser Of Harare and The Maestro. He was shortlisted for the 2014 Caine Prize. His short fiction has been published in Enkare Review The Manchester Review, Wasafiri and elsewhere. He enchants readers with tales that intertwine the mystical and the mundane. His narratives often delve into hidden histories and the magic lurking in everyday life.

Synopsis:

A royal plot. A family secret. And a stolen body.

Secrets Of The First School is the gripping finale to T.L Huchu’s enchanting Edinburgh Nights Series. Set in a world where ancient knowledge and modern challenges collide, this novel uncovers the mysteries of the First School—a place shrouded in secrets and forgotten lore. As protagonists delve deeper, they confront truths that could reshape their understanding of reality.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf:

Huchu's latest offering is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy and cultural introspection. It's a journey through time, knowledge, and the enduring power of stories.

6. Esperance by Adam Oyebanji

Released: 20 May

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Adam Oyebanji is a British-Nigerian author known for his speculative fiction that blends science fiction with social commentary. His acclaimed debut novel, Braking Day, was published in 2022.

Synopsis:

An impossible death. An improbable story. An exciting mission. Detective Ethan Krol investigates a baffling murder case in Chicago, while in Bristol, Abidemi Eniola, a woman with extraordinary technological abilities, embarks on a mission to return heirlooms to their rightful owners. Their paths converge in a narrative that spans continents and centuries. This is an extraordinary speculative thriller that speaks about the scars left by the Atlantic slave-trade.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf:

Esperance is a genre-bending thriller that tackles themes of justice, intergenerational trauma, and the lingering effects of colonialism, all wrapped in a suspenseful sci-fi mystery.

7. The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward

Expected Release: 3 June

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Yrsa Daley-Ward is a British writer, poet, model and actor of Jamaican and Nigerian heritage. Renowned for her memoir The Terrible and her collaboration on Beyoncé's Black Is King, she brings a lyrical and introspective voice to her debut novel. Her memoir, The Terrible was published in 2018 and in 2019 it won the PEN/Ackrley Prize.

Synopsis:

Original and compelling, The Catch centers on estranged twins Clara and Dempsey, haunted by their mother's mysterious disappearance into the River Thames. As adults, they are content with their live apart until they find a woman that looks exactly like their mother, Serena, walking the streets of London. They are forced to confront the resurfacing of past traumas and the complexities of identity and motherhood.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf:

Daley-Ward's narrative delves into the choices women make and the alternate lives they imagine, offering a profound meditation on the paths taken and those left unexplored.

8. Bitter Honey by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

Expected Release:  4 November

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Lola Akinmade Åkerström is a Nigerian-American author and visual storyteller based in Sweden. Known for her acclaimed novels In Every Mirror She’s Black and Everything Is Not Enough, she crafts narratives that delve into the complexities of identity and belonging. Her novel Everything Is Not enough won a nomination at the Oustandng Litrary Work at the NAACP awards.

Synopsis: 

Two women. Four decades. A lifetime of secrets. Spanning four decades and three continents, Bitter Honey follows Nancy, who moves from Gambia to Sweden in 1978 on a scholarship, and her daughter Tina, a pop star in 2006. As Tina seeks to uncover her mother's hidden past, long-buried secrets threaten to unravel their lives. This is a story of mothers, of daughters and of beng brave enough to make your own oath in life.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf: 

Akinmade Åkerström delivers a poignant exploration of mother-daughter relationships, cultural displacement, and the pursuit of self-discovery. Her storytelling weaves together personal and societal narratives with grace and depth.

9. Hein by Tamarin

Expected Release: September

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Tamarin is an emerging voice from East Africa, known for raw, impactful storytelling that explores identity, rebellion, and transformation through a contemporary lens.

Synopsis: 

Hein follows a young protagonist caught in a web of political unrest and personal awakening. As societal fires blaze, they must navigate loyalty, love, and the fight for freedom in a fractured world.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf: 

Tamarin’s debut is electric, urgent, and unflinching. It’s a revolutionary anthem for a generation ready to rewrite the rules and reclaim their power.

10. The Nga’phandileh Whisperer by Eugene Bacon

Expected Release: 2 September

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Eugene Bacon is a Zimbabwean author known for fusing folklore with speculative fiction. Her writing celebrates oral traditions while pushing boundaries with futuristic twists.Her work has been nominated for several awards including Aurealis Awards, British Fantasy Awards, Brithish Science Fiction Asoociation Award

Synopsis: 

Set in a world where whispers carry magic, a gifted communicator unravels mysteries threatening the balance between humans and spirits. When Chant’L, ayoung and precocious guardian in an elite space outpost- misuses her sond magic the other guardians strip away her abilities and exile. But even in exile Chant’L discover that magic, true magic , is something that can never be taken away. This genre bending novellas is rich with Afrocentrism and culture. The story is a rich tapestry of myth, identity, and power struggles.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf: 

Bacon’s tale is a masterclass in blending heritage with innovation. The Nga'phandileh Whisperer invites you to listen closely—to legends, to secrets, to the future.

11. CURANDERA by Irenosen Okojie

Expected Release: 8 July

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Irenosen Okojie, a Nigerian-British writer, blends surrealism with cultural myth, crafting stories that haunt and heal. Her style is a kaleidoscope of magical realism and sharp social insight.Her first novel, Butterfly Fish, won a Betty Trask award in 2016 and her short story, Grace Jones, won the 2020 Caine Prize For African Literature.

Synopsis: 

Curandera follows a healer navigating between worlds—physical and spiritual, past and present—as she battles shadows threatening her community. A mysterious woman's arrival in the small town of Gethsemane sparks off a chain of catastrophic events. This dark, mesmerizing narrative is a dance of magic, trauma, and redemption.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf: 

Okojie’s prose is spellbinding, pulling readers into a liminal space where pain transforms into power. This book is for anyone ready to journey beyond the ordinary into the mystical heart of healing.

12. Breaking The Silence by Lindiwe Khumalo

The Mind Behind The Magic: 

Lindiwe Khumalo, a South African author and activist, channels the voices of those unheard. Her writing dives deep into social justice, trauma, and healing with unflinching honesty.

Synopsis: This gripping novel follows characters confronting societal taboos and personal wounds in a transforming post-apartheid world. As silence shatters, buried truths rise, sparking revolution in hearts and communities.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf: 

A brave, raw exploration of pain and power, Breaking the Silence demands your attention. Khumalo’s fierce prose and layered characters make this a beacon for readers seeking catharsis and change.

13. Echoes Of The Baobab by Adisa Ibrahima

The Mind Behind The Magic: Adisa Ibrahima is a Ghanaian storyteller weaving ancestral wisdom into modern narratives. With a voice steeped in tradition and innovation, Adisa’s work bridges past and future with lyrical finesse.

Synopsis: 

In this evocative tale, the baobab tree—a symbol of African heritage—holds secrets passed down through generations. A young protagonist uncovers family mysteries entwined with folklore and the mystical power of nature, prompting a journey of identity and legacy.

Why You’ll Want It On Your Shelf: 

Echoes of the Baobab roots you in rich culture while exploring universal themes of memory, resilience, and connection. It’s a poetic reminder that the past and future pulse through every branch and root.

2025 isn’t just another year in African literature. It’s a reckoning. A renaissance. A season of joy. Whether you’re a devout bookworm or a casual browser, these books will remind you what it means to feel—to be seen. To be African, unfiltered and unafraid.

Which one are you going to read first?

— Chiamaka Ruth Chikezie