KESSA's Vision for African Storytelling
The KESSA program, officially known as The Young Panafrican Storytellers Programme, has made significant strides in identifying and nurturing new creative talents across Africa. This initiative, launched in collaboration with UM6P Story School and the French-African Foundation, has garnered nearly 1,900 applications from various corners of the continent and its diaspora. The selection of 30 promising storytellers marks the inaugural edition of this transformative program, aimed at reshaping the narratives surrounding Africa and its diverse cultures.
The overwhelming response to the call for applications underscores the enthusiasm and commitment of a new generation of creators determined to redefine how stories are told about Africa. An international jury, composed of esteemed individuals from the media, cultural industries, and creative leadership, meticulously reviewed the submissions to select the finalists. The chosen storytellers represent a rich tapestry of backgrounds and expertise, engaging in various fields such as cultural institutions, entrepreneurship, technology, cinema, journalism, and urban arts.
Meet the Selected Talents
The 30 laureates selected for this first edition are:
- Sophia Griss-Bembe, Social media content creator, Maghribantou
- Tejumola Maurice-Diya, African fashion historian, The Fashioned Museum
- Ann Nassanga, Founder and artistic director, Kalaverse Initiative
- Mankaprr Conteh, Cultural journalist
- Fadumo Alimaad, Film director, Arlo Art Space
- Sanelisiwe Yekani, Performer, author, and theatre lecturer, Ubukho Productions
- Lazola Bandezi, Cultural strategist, Mingo People
- Kelvin Osoo Omundi, Film producer and distributor, Drama Deluxe Africa
- Brian Amwai, Political news journalist, Mediamax Network Limited – K24TV
- Meekah Jagun, Director, artistic director, and AI specialist, The Icarus Co
- Tonye-Nathan Tamenokuro, Creator, producer-director, actor, and writer, founder of KOJ Visuals
- Jonathan Benaiah Ahabyona, Environmental conservation storyteller and documentary filmmaker
- Delphine Vakunta, Senior communication officer on fragility and resilience, African Development Bank Group
- Nouran Farouk, CEO and co-founder, Dosy
- Lerato Honde, Designer, illustrator, animator, and communication strategist, co-director of Wona Collective
- Imara Njeri, Wildlife photographer and filmmaker
- Sheila Muthoni Washira, Digital content creator and storyteller, Justtotallyrandom
- Gabriel Ogonda, Musician, director, and writer, Gabiro Mtu Necessary
- Kenza Aloui, Author and cultural operator
- Pumla Maswanganyi, Designer and strategist, expert in African Life-Centric Design
- Emmanuel Nguema, 3D artist and figurine creator, Garden Hut
- Zouhair Khaznaoui, Storyteller, cultural curator, and cultural entrepreneur, co-founder of the International Storytelling Festival
- Mohamed Mohamud, Journalist and founder of Somali Sideways
- Alya Hakim, Founder of HOWA W HIYA Media Concept and GHRAM COM agency
- Huguette Umutoni, Founder of N’gage Africa and Storyhouse
- Joy Makena, Consultant, podcaster, and civic education educator, Makena Wairimu Legal Consultancy
- Imen Ghazouani, Actress, cinematographer, and scriptwriter
- Mark Wambui, Storyteller and director, Re-tuning Cinema in Africa (RECA)
- Ibrahim Khalilulahi Usman, Award-winning investigative science journalist, Eco Media Africa
- Mehdi Chafiai, History-geography teacher, PhD student in heritage, and content creator
These talented individuals will embark on an immersive residency from March 23 to 28, 2026, at the UM6P Story School campus in Rabat. During this week-long program, they will engage in intensive masterclasses, collaborative workshops, and creative sessions alongside seasoned mentors from international cultural and media industries. This residency aims to foster the production of original works that will be showcased in a pan-African campaign designed to highlight a new generation of African creative voices.
KESSA aspires to play a pivotal role in identifying, training, and connecting storytellers who can redefine how the continent is perceived, amplifying these narratives on both a pan-African and global stage.
As reported by medias24.com.
