Prix Ivoire 2026 awarded to Chad author
The Prix Ivoire 2026 for African literature in French expression has been awarded to Tchadian author Nétonon Noël Ndjékéry for his novel La Fabrique du merveilleux, published by Hélice Hélas.Award ceremony to be held in Abidjan
The award ceremony will take place on 28 November 2026 in Abidjan, where the recipient will be presented with a prize of two million CFA francs, approximately 3,000 euros.Jury announces winner in October
The decision was announced by the Akwaba Culture association on 30 October 2026, with the jury chaired by writer and playwright Werewere-Liking-Gnépo.Jury praises the novel's themes and style
The jury praised Ndjékéry's "imaginative and rich writing" and his ability to draw on "the warmth and depth of African languages" to create a narrative where the miraculous serves a political reflection.Novel set in an imaginary African kingdom
The novel is set in the imaginary principality of Lara, where Queen Poudoudou, a former courtesan, seizes power from King Laoula. In the primordial forest, trees and animals allied with the deity Sou create dreams of freedom capable of toppling tyrants.Story explores freedom, democracy, and progress
Two characters, Guiliguili and Tipipi, take these dreams to change the course of events. The story explores the conquest of freedom and its preservation, the fragility of democracy, and how societies envision progress.Jury highlights novel’s traditional and hopeful roots
The jury noted the novel's roots in "ancient traditions" and its hope for an Africa capable of thinking about its political future.Ndjékéry has a history of literary recognition
Ndjékéry, born in Moundou, Chad, and now based in Switzerland, is not new to awards. He was awarded the Grand Prix littéraire national du Tchad in 2017 for his entire body of work and has published other works including Au petit bonheur la brousse and Il n'y a pas d'arc-en-ciel au Paradis, also with Hélice Hélas.Previous accolades for the novel
His novel La Fabrique du merveilleux earned him the Prix Hors concours and the Grand Prix littéraire d'Afrique noire in 2022, as well as the prix Lettres frontière in 2023.Eighteen finalists from across Africa
For the 18th edition of the Prix Ivoire, 46 works from 13 countries were submitted to the preliminary selection committee, with five finalists representing Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire.Other finalists and their works
The other finalists were Djaïli Amadou Amal (Cameroun), Espoir, éditions Emmanuelle Collas, 2026; Jocelyn Danga (République démocratique du Congo), Né sur des pissenlits, éditions Elyzad, 2026; Célia Sanchez (Sénégal), Yaay !, L'Harmattan Sénégal, 2025; and Ephrem Youkpo (Côte d'Ivoire), Ceux qui parlent fort, Eyo Éditions, 2026.Jury includes prominent literary figures
The jury included Hélène Lobé, president of the Association des écrivains de Côte d'Ivoire, Foua Ernest de Saint Sauveur, honorary president of the same association, and literary critics Auguste Gnaléhi and Henri N'koumo.Prix Ivoire established in 2008
Created in 2008 by the Ivorian association Akwaba Culture, chaired by Isabelle Kassi-Fofana, the Prix Ivoire annually recognizes works of African literature in French expression.Supported by cultural and diplomatic institutions
It is supported by the Ivorian Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, the French Embassy in Abidjan, and the Librairie de France Groupe.Previous winners include notable authors
Ndjékéry succeeds Ivorian author Véronique Tadjo, who won in 2025 for Je remercie la nuit (Mémoire d'encrier). Before her, Tunisian author Azza Filali won in 2024 for Malentendues (Elyzad). Previous winners include Sami Tchak, Blaise Ndala, Gauz, Kettly Mars, and Hemley Boum.Publication details of the winning novel
La Fabrique du merveilleux was published on 14 January 2026, with 140 pages and a price of 18.00 euros.
