The African Speculative Fiction Society has released the 2025 shortlist for the Nommo Awards for African Speculative Fiction.

Members nominate published work for one of The Nommo Awards across four categories: Best Novel, Novella, Short Story, and Graphic Novel. Members are given free access to some of the nominated works and vote for the winners.  

The Nommos were presented for the first time in 2017. The awards are named for twins from Dogon cosmology who take a variety of forms, including appearing on land as fish, walking on their tails.

All works are speculative fiction, were published between January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024, and are by Africans as defined by the ASFS and Nommo Awards Guidelines. 

ILUBE AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL FINALISTS

• The Smoke That Thunders by Erhu Kome (Norton Young Readers, 2024)
• Dakini Atoll by Nikhil Singh (Luna Press Publishing, 2024)
• The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus by Umar Abubakar Sidi (Masobe, 2024)
• Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase (Kensington, 2024)

NOVELLA FINALISTS

• The Year of Return by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori (Android Press, 2024)
• In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran (Titan Books, 2024)
• Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Tor Publishing Group, 2024)
• The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar (Tordotcom, 2024)

GRAPHIC NOVEL FINALISTS

• Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods by Dotun Akande and Murewa Ayodele (Oni Press, 2025)
• Celestial Eyes by John Uche and Francis (The Machine Publishing, 2024)
• You Have Ten Years by Murewa Ayodele, Mamode Ogbewele, Dotun Akande, and Samuel Iwunze (Collectible Comics NG, 2024)

SHORT STORY FINALISTS

• Bodies of Sand and Blood by Plangdi Neple, Cast of Wonders, 2024
• From Across Time by Chisom Umeh, Clarkesworld, 2024
• The Future Ancients by Mwenya Chikwa, WTBAP, 2024
• Warning Notes from an Annihilator Machine by Damilola Oyedotun, Lightspeed, 2024

The African Speculative Fiction Society, composed of professional and semiprofessional African writers, editors, publishers, graphic artists and film makers, was founded in 2016.

The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) is a membership organisation of African writers, editors, comic and graphic artists, and filmmakers in the in the fields of speculative fiction such as fantasy, science fiction, stories that draw on traditions, horror and philosophical fiction.

The ASFS is home of the Nommo Awards held annually since 2017 with the exception of 2023. 

The ASFS does not charge any membership fee.