Lolwe was founded in January 2020 by Kenyan writer and editor Troy Onyango.[2] According to the website the origin of the name is, "Lolwe: From Nam Lolwe, the original or traditional Luo name for Lake Victoria meaning 'endless lake/water body'. Therefore, Lolwe meaning endless, meaning 'having or seeming to have no end or limit'."[3]
The publication made a call out for submissions for its inaugural issue for work that is "bold, different, and blurs or pushes boundaries."[4] In an interview, the founder revealed that the magazine was inspired by literary magazines like Saraba Magazine, Chimurenga, Bakwa, and Kwani?.[5]
This publication accepts submissions by Black authors (African, Caribbean and in the Diaspora).[6]
