‘Born at the End of the World’: EA’s best makes it to the CANEX Longlist

Publishing is, for the most part, quiet work.

There are manuscripts to read, edits to make, proofs to check, layouts to review—and then, usually, another round of edits.

Most of the time, the work happens at our desks.

And then, every so often, something arrives in your inbox that makes everyone stop.

This was one of those moments.

Born at the End of the World by Donica Merhazion has been longlisted for the CANEX Prize for Publishing 2026.

We read the email twice.

Then we read it again out loud.

For everyone at Mvua Press, it was a moment of pride—and a lovely reminder of why we do what we do.

A story worth carrying

Born at the End of the World begins in 1970s Ethiopia, with 13-year-old Elen making the brave decision to leave her village rather than enter an arranged marriage.

Her journey eventually brings her into the life of Girmai, a boy who has escaped an abusive home and is trying to survive on the streets of Asmara.

Their paths cross. Their lives take shape. And, eventually, they find each other.

But theirs is a love story unfolding in a country being transformed by political upheaval.

As the Derg regime tightens its grip and Asmara becomes a city of fear, Elen and Girmai refuse to look away. They join the underground struggle against the regime, putting their lives at risk for a future they believe in.

Based on a true story, the novel is about much more than the events that surround it. It is about love and loyalty. About friendship and courage. About the extraordinary choices ordinary people can be called upon to make.

And, at its heart, it is about two people trying to hold on to each other—and to hope—in an extraordinarily difficult time.

That is the story we were entrusted to publish.

And now, it has found its way onto the CANEX longlist.

Why this moment matters to us

The CANEX Prize for Publishing is part of the Creative Africa Nexus, a programme of Afreximbank, and celebrates the people and books contributing to Africa's publishing landscape.

This year, 13 titles from across Africa and the Diaspora have been longlisted.

For Mvua Press, an imprint of eKitabu, seeing Born at the End of the World among them is deeply meaningful.

Because a book doesn't arrive in the world through one person's work alone.

It takes an author willing to tell the story.

Editors who ask the difficult questions.

Designers who give the words a visual home.

Production teams who turn files into something you can hold.

Booksellers who put it in front of readers.

And readers who decide to open the first page—and then keep going.

So this moment belongs to all of them.

Most of all, it belongs to Donica, who trusted us with her story.

We are incredibly proud to have played a small part in helping it travel.

And now, we wait

The next chapter takes us to CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos, from 5–8 November.

We'll be following the journey and sharing the news as it unfolds.

But for now, we're allowing ourselves a moment to celebrate.

A story that began in one part of Africa, travelled through decades of history, found its way onto our desks, and into the hands of readers has now reached another milestone.

That's the magic of publishing.

Sometimes, you send a book out into the world and wonder where it will go.

Sometimes, it comes back with wonderful news.

Haven't read it yet?

This might be a good moment. Born at the End of the World is available in print for KES1,500 here: https://shop.ekitabu.com/ke/products/born-at-the-end-of-the-world-print-donica-merhazion-978991495876:

It's a fascinating list of books from across Africa and the Diaspora, and well worth exploring.

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And if you'd like to explore the other books on the list, you can find all 13 CANEX Publishing Prize 2026 longlisted titles in the announcement.

Congratulations, Donica!

We're so glad this story is travelling.

And we're even more glad that you're travelling with it.