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
Créatrice de contenu & Fondatrice de La Jobsetteuse
Mohamud Mohamed
Fondateur de Somali Sideways / Journaliste indépendant
Zouhair Khaznaoui
Entrepreneur culturel
Tamunokuro Tonye-Nathan
Producteur-réalisateur / Acteur / Scénariste / Fondateur, KOJ Visuals
Tejumola Maurice-Diya
Chercheuse narratif culturel, fondatrice du Fashioned Museum
Sophia Griss-Bembe
Créatrice de contenu culturel & Chercheuse indépendante
Sheila Wachira
Storyteller numérique & Créatrice de contenu
Pumla Maswanganyi
Conceptrice stratégique
Nouran Farouk
PDG, Dosy
Othmane Taky
Fondateur eProgram
Meekah Jagun
Réalisateur / Directeur artistique / Spécialiste IA
Mark Wambui
Producteur/Réalisateur
Mankaprr Conteh
Journaliste culturelle
Lerato Honde
Storyteller, designer pluridisciplinaire
Lazola Bandezi
Productrice culturelle, stratège de marque & fondatrice, Mingo People
Osoo Kelvin Omundi
Producteur et distributeur de films
Joy Makena Wairim
Éducatrice civique et juridique
JONATHAN A. BENAIAH
Conteur spécialisé dans la conservation et réalisateur de documentaires
Imen GHAZOUANI
Artiste pluridisciplinaire & Réalisatrice
Imara Nicole Njeri
Storyteller spécialisé en faune sauvage & Photographe animalier
Ibrahim Khalilulahi Usman
Journaliste scientifique d’investigation primé
Gabiro Mtu (Gabriel Ogonda)
Musicien / Réalisateur / Scénariste / Influenceur
Fadumo Alimaad
Réalisatrice, écrivaine, conteuse et fondatrice d’Arlo Art Space
Emmanuel Nguema Omeme
Designer 3D et spécialiste de la fabrication numérique
Delphine Vakunta
Praticienne en communication stratégique
Brian Amwai
Journaliste et présentateur kényan d’actualités
ALYA HAKIM
Créatrice de contenu, professionnelle des médias et consultante
Afrie Nassanga
Réalisatrice, musicienne, auteure et fondatrice de Kalaverse
2025 EDITION
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