KENYA AND AKUNA GROUP PARTNER TO UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
KENYA AND AKUNA GROUP PARTNER TO UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
Founded by internationally acclaimed actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur Sir Idris Elba, the Akuna Group is a global creative, entertainment and media enterprise dedicated to creating opportunities for talent through storytelling, technology, investment and innovation. With a growing presence across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, the Group aims to strengthen creative ecosystems by supporting content creation, intellectual property development, production, distribution and the commercialization of creative works. Its vision is to connect emerging talent with the infrastructure, capital and global platforms needed to build sustainable creative industries.
As such, Kenya’s creative ecosystem stands to benefit greatly from the signing of a Statement of Intent with the Akuna Group, aimed at strengthening cooperation in the creative economy, responsible artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation and youth empowerment, therefore expanding opportunities for the local creative industry.
The Statement of Intent was signed by Kenya, represented by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs, Dr. A. Korir Sing’oei, and Sir Idris Elba, Chairman of the Akuna Group, on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda. The agreement establishes a pathway for cooperation in creator financing, youth skills development, digital innovation and access to international markets.
The partnership falls within the framework of the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership, bringing together Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Barbados to leverage the creative economy as a driver of inclusive growth, enterprise development and international collaboration.
The initiative seeks to connect Kenya’s vibrant creative talent with technology, investment and opportunities across the Commonwealth, transforming creativity into sustainable livelihoods, commercially viable enterprises and a platform for enhancing the country's global influence.
The collaboration is expected to complement and strengthen the Government’s Talanta Hela Programme, which focuses on identifying, nurturing and developing talent. By providing pathways to markets, facilitating access to financing and strengthening the monetization of creative products and services, the partnership will help young creatives translate their talent into sustainable economic opportunities.
During the engagement, the Principal Secretary, on behalf of H.E. President William Ruto, extended an invitation to Sir Idris Elba to visit Kenya during the forthcoming Internet Governance Forum (IGF), where the programme is expected to be unveiled.
The partnership underscores Kenya’s commitment to positioning the creative economy as a strategic pillar of national development, youth employment and international cooperation, while harnessing emerging technologies to expand opportunities for its creative talent.