Congolese Writer Pascal Boroto Wins Prestigious 2026 Voix d’Afriques Literary Prize
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – June 2026
Pascal Boroto, a 24-year-old writer from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been named the winner of the 2026 Voix d’Afriques (Voices from Africa) literature prize for his debut novel, Le nom de ma mère (My Mother’s Name). The young author, currently in residence at the French Institute in Kinshasa, will receive the award this Friday in a ceremony celebrating his deeply personal work inspired by his late mother, journalist Solange Lusiku.
Boroto, originally from Bukavu in eastern DRC, was selected from five finalists for the prize, marking the first time a Congolese writer has claimed the honor. Previous winners hailed from Côte d’Ivoire, Congo-Brazzaville, and Cameroon.
A Surprise Victory
Boroto admitted he was stunned by the win, having submitted his manuscript just two weeks before the deadline. “I never expected this,” he said. “Writing this book was my way of keeping my mother’s voice alive. To have it recognized like this is beyond anything I imagined.”
The novel, a poignant exploration of memory and conflict, follows a young man who joins his mother’s newspaper before traveling to Goma, a city scarred by war. The narrative weaves together themes of loss, identity, and resilience—reflecting both Boroto’s personal grief and the broader struggles of his homeland.
A Legacy of Journalism and Activism
Boroto’s mother, Solange Lusiku, was a pioneering journalist who founded an independent daily newspaper in the DRC. Her death in 2018 deeply affected him, ultimately inspiring his literary journey. Though trained as an economist, Boroto always felt drawn to storytelling, a passion he inherited from his mother.
Beyond writing, he has also worked in displacement camps, gathering testimonies from those affected by conflict. In 2025, he founded Les Voix des Oubliés (The Voices of the Forgotten), an association dedicated to amplifying the stories of marginalized communities.
Jury Praise and Literary Recognition
The eight-member jury, chaired by Senegalese author and 2021 Prix Goncourt winner Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, praised Boroto’s novel for its emotional depth and social relevance.
JC Lattès, the publishing house behind the award, described the book as “a bridge between absence and presence, a tribute that demands courage.” The jury’s statement highlighted Boroto’s struggle to honor his mother’s legacy while finding his own voice: “How can one be worthy of such a name? How can one speak for the forgotten when still searching for oneself?”
A Platform for Emerging African Writers
Launched in 2021, the Voix d’Afriques prize supports unpublished Francophone writers under 30 whose works engage with African realities—whether through setting, politics, or social issues. This year’s competition saw 144 entries, with over 17,000 writers registered on the platform since its inception.
The award, a collaboration between JC Lattès, Radio France Internationale (RFI), and Paris’s Cité Internationale des Arts, includes a publishing contract and a residency in France, offering winners a pathway into the literary world.
What’s Next for Boroto?
With the prize, Boroto’s novel is set for publication, bringing his mother’s story—and the untold narratives of the DRC—to a global audience. For now, he remains focused on his writing and activism, determined to ensure that the voices of the forgotten are heard.
“My writing is an outstretched hand,” Boroto says in his book. “It exists in the space between life and disappearance, between memory and silence.”
As he prepares to accept his award, the literary world watches—eager to see where his voice will lead next.
— Reported by Nexio News
