KESSA
KESSA THE YOUNG PANAFRICAN STORYTELLERS PROGRAM
Presentation
Africa is a continent of voices, memories, and imagination
By UM6P Story School in collaboration with French-African Foundation.
In its cities as well as its villages, in its studios, stages, media outlets, and laboratories, powerful stories are emerging: narratives that inspire, redefine perceptions, and reveal an Africa in motion.
KESSA was born from this conviction: telling Africa’s stories differently is already a way of transforming it.
A joint initiative of UM6P Story School and the French-African Foundation, KESSA aims to support and showcase a new generation of African storytellers — artists, journalists, scientists, creators, cultural entrepreneurs, influencers, and emerging voices — who are shaping a modern, bold, and inspiring African narrative.
The word KESSA, which means “story” in Arabic and in several African dialects, embodies this ambition: to amplify stories that resonate, connect, and transform.
In its cities as well as its villages, in its studios, stages, media outlets, and laboratories, powerful stories are emerging: narratives that inspire, redefine perceptions, and reveal an Africa in motion.
KESSA was born from this conviction: telling Africa’s stories differently is already a way of transforming it.
A joint initiative of UM6P Story School and the French-African Foundation, KESSA aims to support and showcase a new generation of African storytellers — artists, journalists, scientists, creators, cultural entrepreneurs, influencers, and emerging voices — who are shaping a modern, bold, and inspiring African narrative.
The word KESSA, which means “story” in Arabic and in several African dialects, embodies this ambition: to amplify stories that resonate, connect, and transform.
Engagement, nearly
1900
applications
REPRESENTATION
14
countries represented
pan-African
30
young storytellers
rethinking the African narrative
Objectives
Promotion 2026
During an immersive week at the UM6P Story School Campus
the 30 selected laureates will benefit from a training and experimentation environment where creativity, innovation, and storytelling come together.
Marie-Christine Kameni
Content creator & Founder of La Jobsetteuse
Mohamud Mohamed
Founder of Somali Sideways / Freelance journalist
Zouhair Khaznaoui
Cultural entrepreneur
Tamunokuro Tonye-Nathan
Producer-director / Actor / Screenwriter / Founder, KOJ Visuals
Tejumola Maurice-Diya
Cultural narrative researcher, founder of the Fashioned Museum
Sophia Griss-Bembe
Cultural content creator & independent researcher
Sheila Wachira
Digital Storyteller & Content Creator
Pumla Maswanganyi
Strategic Designer
Nouran Farouk
CEO, Dosy
Othmane Taky
Founder of eProgram
Meekah Jagun
Director / Creative Director / AI Specialist
Mark Wambui
Producer/Director
Mankaprr Conteh
Culture journalist
Lerato Honde
Storyteller, multidisciplinary designer
Lazola Bandezi
Cultural producer, brand strategist & founder, Mingo People
Osoo Kelvin Omundi
Film producer and distributor
Joy Makena Wairim
Civic and legal educator
JONATHAN A. BENAIAH
A storyteller specialising in conservation and a documentary filmmaker
Imen GHAZOUANI
Multidisciplinary artist & Filmmaker
Imara Nicole Njeri
Storyteller specialising in wildlife & Wildlife photographer
Ibrahim Khalilulahi Usman
Award-winning investigative science journalist
Gabiro Mtu (Gabriel Ogonda)
Musician / Director / Screenwriter / Influencer
Fadumo Alimaad
Filmmaker, writer, storyteller and founder of Arlo Art Space
Emmanuel Nguema Omeme
3D designer and digital manufacturing specialist
Delphine Vakunta
Strategic communications consultant
Brian Amwai
Kenyan journalist and news presenter
ALYA HAKIM
Content creator, media professional and consultant
Afrie Nassanga
Filmmaker, musician, author and founder of Kalaverse
2025 EDITION
COMING SOON
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