CANEX CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The CANEX Creative Writing Workshop is a fully funded, five-day residential programme for aspiring prose writers of African and Caribbean heritage running alongside the CANEX Book Factory at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Across five immersive days, selected writers receive intensive training in creative craft, the business and legal aspects of writing, and the professional networks that sustain a literary career. Every session is led by acclaimed authors, experienced editors, and publishing professionals.
Across Africa and the Caribbean, extraordinary literary talent abounds. Too often, it goes unheard — not for lack of ability, but lack of access. This workshop exists to close that gap.
Travel, accommodation, meals, and workshop materials are fully covered for all selected participants. There is no application fee.
Recognising Excellence in African-Caribbean Publishing
Applications Open: 1st May 2026 | Deadline: TBA | Top Prize: $20,000 USD
Winners Announced: November 2026 · Lagos, Nigeria
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN
Craft
Voice, structure, character, dialogue, point of view, and the art of revision. Hands-on sessions and manuscript workshops led by celebrated authors.
Industry
The African and international publishing landscape, rights and intellectual property, working with agents and editors, and the business realities of a writing career.
Mentorship
Direct access to acclaimed authors, editors, and publishing professionals across five intensive days — plus a closing reception celebrating your progress.
Community
A curated cohort of selected writers from across Africa and the Caribbean — real relationships forged in shared work that last long after the workshop ends.
Who This Is For
This workshop is built for you if:
- You consider yourself an emerging writer
- You're passionate about storytelling but haven't yet had the opportunity to participate in a structured writing programme.
- You want to develop your craft, understand the publishing industry, and connect with a community of African and Caribbean writers.
- You're a citizen of an African Union member country or a CARICOM member country — including diaspora writers living anywhere in the world.
- You're 18 or older and can be in Lagos, Nigeria for the full five days in November 2026. A valid passport for international travellers is a requirement.
- You write in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili or any indigenous AU-member-country or CARICOM-member language.
This Workshop is NOT:
– A guarantee of publication or literary representation.
– A poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, or academic writing programme — prose fiction and creative non-fiction only.
– Open to previous participants of any edition of the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop.
– Allowing partial attendance — the full five days are required.
How Selection Works
Applications are reviewed by a panel of literary professionals, scored on writing quality, creative potential, and cohort diversity.
What to Submit
✓ A completed application form.
✓ A 250-word statement of purpose.
✓ A 500-word original prose sample (fiction or creative non-fiction).
✓ Valid proof of citizenship (e.g., national ID or passport data page).
No translation required for non-English submissions.
What We’re Looking For
The quality and originality of your writing. The clarity of your creative purpose. Your potential as a storyteller. And the overall diversity of the cohort — geographic, linguistic, and genre representation all factor into selection.
Your Facilitators
The 2026 facilitator lineup will be announced by the middle of 2026 — follow CANEX on social media for updates.
✓ Lead Fiction Facilitator — To Be Announced
✓ Publisher / Editor — To Be Announced
✓ Non-Fiction Masterclass — To Be Announced
✓ Rights & Career Panel — To Be Announced
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop?
A fully funded, five-day in-person residential writing programme for emerging prose writers of African and Caribbean heritage. It is a flagship initiative of the CANEX Book Factory, run by Afreximbank through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme. The workshop provides intensive training in creative craft, the business and legal aspects of writing, and professional development. It is completely free for all selected participants.
Is this the first edition of the workshop?
No. The inaugural edition took place in 2024 in Aburi, Ghana, as a 10-day residential programme. The second edition took place in 2025 in Algiers, Algeria, as a 5-day residency. The 2026 edition in Lagos, Nigeria, is the third.
What genres are covered?
The workshop focuses exclusively on prose writing for trade books — fiction (novels, novellas, short stories) and creative non-fiction (memoir, personal essay, literary journalism, narrative non-fiction, travel writing). Poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, graphic novels, academic writing, children’s literature, self-help, and religious texts are not covered.
What language is the workshop delivered in?
The workshop will be delivered in multiple languages with translation services provided in the official languages of the African Union: English, French, Arabic, Swahili, and Portuguese. Participants should have sufficient working proficiency in English to engage fully in sessions and discussions.
Who is eligible to apply?
The workshop is open to writers from Africa and the Caribbean, aged 18 and above, who are in the early stages of their creative writing journey and working on a fiction or creative nonfiction project. If you live outside Africa or the Caribbean but hold citizenship of an AU or CARICOM country, you are very welcome to apply.
Do I need to be previously published to apply?
No. This workshop is specifically designed for emerging writers. While You may have some work published, we prioritise originality and a serious commitment to craft
I attended a previous edition. Can I apply again?
No. Previous participants of any edition of the CANEX Creative Writing Workshop are not eligible for the 2026 workshop. However, if you applied in a previous year but were not selected, you are warmly encouraged to apply again.
What does my application need to include?
✓ A completed online form with your personal details and contact information.
✓ A 300-word statement of purpose explaining why you want to participate and how the workshop supports your writing journey.
✓ A 500-word original prose sample (fiction or creative non-fiction).
✓ A scan of the biographical data page of your valid passport.Valid proof of citizenship (e.g., national ID or passport data page).
What should my writing sample be?
Please submit a writing sample of 500 words of fiction or creative nonfiction. This can be an excerpt from a larger work or a standalone piece that reflects your voice and intentions as a writer
Can I submit my writing sample in French, Arabic, or another language?
Yes. You may submit your writing sample in any official language of an AU or CARICOM member state. The review panel includes readers with competence in the named languages of submission, and the programme will engage specialist readers for less common languages. Every effort is made to assess all work fairly.
How are applications reviewed and selected?
Participants will be selected by a panel of readers composed of experienced writers and editors. Each application is read and scored independently by at least two reviewers, using a standardised rubric. Selection is based on the quality of the writing sample, the strength of the statement of purpose, the applicant’s creative potential, and the overall composition of the cohort — geographic, linguistic, and genre diversity all factor into final selection. Every applicant will be contacted, whether successful or not.
Is the workshop really free? What does CANEX cover?
Yes — completely free to apply for and to attend. For selected participants, CANEX covers: round-trip economy-class flights to Lagos, Nigeria; accommodation for the full duration; all meals; workshop materials; travel insurance; and visa support. There is no application fee. If anyone contacts you asking for payment in connection with this programme, it is a scam — please report it immediately.
Who owns the work I create during the workshop?
You do. All creative work produced by participants before, during, and after the workshop remains the intellectual property of the respective participant. CANEX does not claim any rights over your writing, at any stage.
Must I have a passport to attend?
If you are travelling from a country that requires an international passport to travel to the host, yes. All such participants must have a valid travel document at the time of application.
Can I submit more than one application?
No. Only one application per person is allowed. Writers not selected are encouraged to reapply in future editions.
Will all applicants be contacted?
Yes. All applicants will be contacted and will if their applications were successful or not
Where and when will the workshop take place?
The 2026 edition of the workshop will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, 1–4 November 2026, during the CANEX WKND 2026.
What will the daily schedule look like?
Participants will experience a full schedule of craft modules, peer critique sessions, publishing talks, and curated cultural conversations. A timetable will be shared with selected writers.
Can I apply if I am attending another programme?
Yes, as long as the dates do not overlap. If selected, full attendance for the Lagos residency is mandatory.
What if I have questions that aren’t answered here?
Please email questions about your submissions to canexworkshop@narrativelandscape.com