Etisalat launches the ‘Etisalat Prize for Literature’

In a move to discover creative talent out of the continent and also promote the efforts of  publishing industries in Africa, Etisalat Nigeria has initiated the ‘Etisalat Prize for Literature’, the first ever pan-African prize celebrating first time writers of published fiction novels.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature aims to serve as a viable platform for the discovery of new creative talent from the continent and invariably promote the growing publishing industry in Africa. Entries will be accepted for two categories, namely: Full length English fiction novels and Flash Fiction Short Stories, to be launched towards the end of the year and driven entirely via social media.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans said that the Prize was created out of the need to give recognition to indigenous works of literature while also rewarding new entrants and encouraging further participation.

“We are pleased to have initiated this important project that celebrates literary excellence and creativity in Nigeria and across Africa. We believe literature has the potential to effect change and serve as a catalyst for promoting a cultural revolution. However, it is a field that has been relegated to the background, making African fiction and short story writers to look to international awards for recognition,” he said. 

“The Etisalat Prize for Literature is our way of sharing in the passions and aspirations of young and upcoming writers as well as breathing new life to the literary society,” Evans added.

The initiative, Etisalat Group maintains is part of its aims to recognize and celebrate writers and other members of the literary community across Africa by bringing together celebrated high profile writers, book critics and academics from across the Continent and beyond in order to give credence and honor to ‘home-grown’ talent while also rewarding new entrants and encouraging further participation in this area.

Etisalat maintains that at the core of it’s vision is promoting passion, nurturing talent and providing a platform for communicating ideas.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the major mobile telecommunications service providers in Nigeria. Established in 2008, Etisalat holds 15% of the Nigerian market share with over 15 million subscribers.