Kenya will host a local edition of the prestigious Cannes Young Lions competition for the first time in history, giving young creatives a chance to compete globally at the world’s top advertising and creativity festival and awards show; the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
This moment will see six of Kenya’s best and brightest young creatives earn the once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the country in the global Young Lions Competition, competing against the world’s top emerging talent.
One student will also attend the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy, a program designed to help young talents explore the various avenues and creative spaces.
Safaricom Partnership
Commenting on the partnership, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa expressed his pride while emphasizing the importance of creativity and innovation.
“Creativity and innovation are at the heart of Kenya’s future. Through our partnership with Young Lions Kenya, we are proud to give young creatives the platform to showcase their talent on the world’s biggest stage,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO.
As the title sponsor, Safaricom will play a pivotal role in enabling this groundbreaking initiative, reinforcing its dedication to investing in Kenyan talent, digital transformation, and the creative economy.
“This initiative aligns with our mission to empower young minds through opportunities that fuel growth and innovation,” added Zizwe Awour, Brand and Marketing Director, Safaricom.
Also Read: Safaricom Launches Software Engineering Training Program for Students with Disabilities
Tusker Partnership
Alcoholic beverages brand, Tusker, has also come on board as one of the competition’s key partners in the Young Lions Kenya competition.
In his remarks, Mark Ocitti, Managing Director, KBL said the company is “proud to play a role in empowering young creatives” through hosting this competition.
“Tusker has always been at the heart of Kenya’s creative and cultural evolution. In line with our brand purpose, we are proud to play a role in empowering young creatives to take their talent to the global stage on which Kenyan creativity deserves to be celebrated,” said Mark Ocitti, Managing Director, KBL.
Also read: Safaricom, Tusker Ranked Among Most Admired Brands in Kenya- LIST
Launch of Cannes Young Lions’ Kenya
The launch of Young Lions Kenya signals a new era of opportunity for the country’s young creatives.
According to the sponsors, Kenya’s official representation at Cannes Lions 2025 will not only elevate local talent but also cement Kenya’s place as a powerhouse in the international creative landscape.
Young Lions Kenya has been lauded as a testament to the growing strength of Kenya’s creative economy and the commitment of key industry leaders to nurture young talent, foster innovation and place Kenya firmly on the global creative map.
Serah Katusia, the CEO of Belva Digital which is a leading marketing-technology (martech) company, also commented on the partnership, describing it as a future-focused investment.
“Young Lions Kenya represents the kind of bold, future-focused investment that will shape the next generation of creative leaders. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what our young creatives will achieve,” said Serah Katusia, CEO, Belva Digital.
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