Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Penny Busetto and Rehana Rossouw have been announced as the three shortlisted authors for the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature.

The Etisalat Prize for Literature is a pan-African Prize that is open solely to debut fiction writers from African countries.

Now in its third year, it is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious literary prize for African fiction.

The three books, selected from the longlist of nine, are:

Fiston Mwanza Mujila (Democratic Republic of Congo) – Tram 83 (Deep Vellum)Penny Busetto (South Africa) – The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself (Jacana Media)Rehana Rossouw (South Africa) – What Will People Say? (Jacana Media)

The shortlist was selected by a three-member judging panel: Professor Ato Quayson, Professor of English and inaugural Director of the Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University of Toronto (Chair of Judges); Molara Wood, writer, journalist, critic and editor; and Zukiswa Wanner, author of Men of the South and London Cape Town Joburg.

The shortlisted writers will be rewarded with a sponsored multi-city book tour and will also have 1,000 copies of their books purchased by Etisalat for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the continent.

NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature with her highly celebrated debut novel, We Need New Names, while Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged winner of the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature competition with his novel, Penumbra.

The winner of the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature will be announced in March and will receive £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen.The Prize also includes an Etisalat sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland.