African Books & Movies

These 15 African books published since 2020 showcase some of the most compelling contemporary writing from across the continent.

African literature has always given us memorable characters that stick with us long after we’re done reading.

What if African authors used literary devices like this?

A lot can happen in five weeks. I mean life-altering situations, like being a widow one minute and getting married the next.

Buchi Emecheta went from an orphaned girl in Lagos to a librarian, sociologist, novelist, lecturer, and internationally recognised writer.

Sefi Atta turns everyday motions into something remarkable, stories that make you ask what parts of your own life you’ve been overlooking.

Musih Tedji Xaviere is a Cameroonian writer whose quiet confidence, empathy, and belief in overlooked stories mark her as one of African literature’s most promising new voices.

Chika Unigwe’s forte is characterization and code blending. Her characters feel real because their choices are grounded in lived experience. 

Behind the Scenes is a deeply relatable family story, one that mirrors situations many people have either lived through or witnessed.

Beyond the glamour, laughter, lessons, and comedy, Nollywood also showcases serious issues plaguing society.

The arrival of streaming platforms, first local players like IROKO TV, then global giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Showmax, marked a turning point in Nigerian filmmaking.

Production-wise, the movie delivers what it needs to. It relies heavily on its story, and that is where its strength lies.

Most characters that engage in money rituals are not born evil. They are pushed by their situation.

This situation is more than just a snub at a movie premiere. It reflects the realities of Nollywood at the highest level, where success, ego, loyalty, and strategy constantly clash.

Overall, Enoch was a well-researched, thoughtfully produced biopic that brought history to life with care and respect.

Right now, Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens feels less like a complete chapter and more like a long, uneven bridge between two stronger stories.