If you didn’t already know, Africa is en vogue.

For many of us who grew up in the 90s and 00s, we can remember the sting of anti-African insults and the fact that everything – from our names, to our food, to our parents’ accents – was up for ridicule.

Fast forward to now and we have Michelin-starred restaurants serving haute cuisine inspired by the dishes our aunties cook, African artists consistently go viral on TikTok, and we may even be witnessing the decades long rift between the African and Caribbean diaspora being healed before our very eyes!

But entering its 22nd year, the AKO Caine Prize for African Writing can be considered a veteran in the world of pan-African cultural celebration. Since 2000, each year it has awarded £10,000 to an author of African heritage, and £500 to each of the five authors shortlisted. Reading the shortlist is a masterclass in writing short fiction, and this year’s selection is no different with Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria represented.