About the Prize

The Caine Prize for African Writing is named in memory of the late Sir Michael Caine, former Chairman of Booker plc. He was Chairman of Africa 95, and Chairman of the Booker Prize management committee for almost 25 years. 

The first prize was awarded in 2000, at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair 2000 in Harare, and the 2001 Prize at the Nairobi Book Fair in September 2001  The winner is announced at a dinner in Oxford in July, to which the shortlisted candidates are all invited. This is part of a week of activities for the candidates, including bookreadings, booksignings and press opportunities. 

The Prize is planning to expand, thanks to generous sponsorship, and has set writers' workshops in Africa, two of which have taken place in South Africa to date.  

In its first year the Prize attracted entries from 20 African countries.  The Caine Prize is awarded to a work (a short story) by an African writer published in English, whether in Africa or elsewhere.  (Please refer to the rules for further details about criteria for entry).

The Prize has been supported by friends of Sir Michael Caine in the UK, USA and Africa, the Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, the Zochonis Foundation, the Marit & Hans Rausing Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the Headley Trust, the Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust, the David Alliance Family Foundation, the Cairns Charitable Trust, the Botwinick-Wolfensohn Family Foundation, the Sunrise Foundation, the Von Clemm Charitable Trust, the Royal Over-Seas League, Sarova Hotels, Bata Shoes (Kenya) Ltd and (Zimbabwe) Ltd and Kenya Airways.

The four African winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Wole Soyinka, Nadine Gordimer, Naguib Mahfouz and John Coetzee are Patrons of The Caine Prize.  Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne is President of the Council and Jonathan Taylor is the Chairman.