KESSA: Empowering a New Generation of African Storytellers

A visionary initiative designed to redefine African storytelling has been launched. KESSA, meaning ‘story’ in Arabic and several African dialects, is a groundbreaking residency programme crafted to train and connect thirty emerging voices from across the continent. Spearheaded by Story School, the communications school of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in partnership with the French-African Foundation, this programme is set to transform how Africa tells its stories, both locally and on the global stage.

Shaping the Future of African Narratives

In the rapidly evolving cultural landscape of Africa, KESSA taps into the continent’s burgeoning creative industries to reshape perceptions. The initiative aims to empower creators, journalists, scientists, influencers, cultural entrepreneurs, and other media voices to rewrite Africa’s narrative. By focusing on a diverse range of mediums such as cinema, literature, music, and digital storytelling, the programme endeavors to amplify Africa’s rich heritage and imagination while breaking new ground in communication innovation.

An Exclusive Residency for Emerging Talents

The inaugural KESSA residency programme will take place from 23 to 28 March 2026 at the UM6P campus in Rabat, Morocco. Over this immersive six-day initiative, participants selected from diverse African regions will work under the guidance of industry-leading African and international experts. The programme includes intensive masterclasses, collaborative workshops, hands-on projects in writing, sound, and digital storytelling, as well as tailored mentorship. Moreover, participants will contribute to a growing network of pan-African creatives, opening doors to large-scale professional collaborations.

A Catalyst for Africa’s Cultural Evolution

With a bold mission of championing capacity building, KESSA provides a platform for talents aged 25 to 40 who have a minimum of five years’ experience in fields linked to storytelling. The programme extends its reach across traditional and emerging forms of storytelling, including photography, urban culture, museology, and social innovation. These efforts support work that will contribute to a broader, holistic, and more positive representation of Africa on the world stage. According to UM6P Story School’s director, Meriem Idrissi Kaitouni, “Changing representations and elevating African voices requires telling Africa’s stories differently, in all their diversity and creativity.”

Applications Now Open

Applications for KESSA’s first edition are open until 10 January 2026, and can be submitted online via www.kessa.africa. The selected storytellers will not only receive world-class training but will also benefit from a pan-African communications campaign that ensures the visibility of their work across press, broadcast, and digital platforms. This unprecedented opportunity aims to unite innovators who are reshaping Africa’s identity and inspiring future generations.

The launch of KESSA marks a pivotal moment for the continent’s cultural and creative industries, highlighting the significance of storytelling as a tool for reclaiming narratives and reinforcing Africa’s position in global culture and innovation.