The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University’s Story School and the French‑African Foundation have launched KESSA, a pan‑African program designed to identify, train and connect emerging talents in African storytelling. “KESSA,” which means “story” in Arabic and several African dialects, aims to promote new voices and narratives across the continent’s cultural and creative industries.
The first edition of KESSA will select 30 emerging storytellers—including creators, journalists, scientists, influencers, cultural entrepreneurs and media professionals—to join a narrative laboratory and amplify the African story. Applicants must be professionals aged 25 to 40 with at least five years of experience in new African storytelling languages and community‑driven narratives. The chosen laureates will take part in an immersive residency at the UM6P Story School campus in Rabat, Morocco, from 23 to 28 March 2026. The residency will feature masterclasses, practical workshops, collaborative sessions and professional encounters, fostering experimentation, networking and pan‑African visibility.
The work and profiles of the selected talents will be showcased in a pan‑African campaign jointly led by UM6P Story School and the French‑African Foundation. Applications for the inaugural edition are open until 10 January 2026 on the program’s website.
Meriem Idrissi Kaitouni, Director of UM6P Story School, explains that the program seeks to change representations and elevate African voices by portraying the continent in all its diversity and creativity. Nachouat Meghouar, Managing Director of the French‑African Foundation, adds that the laureates’ work is essential for building a contemporary, realistic, ambitious and positive image of Africa. Launched at a time when African cultural and creative industries are flourishing, KESSA aims to empower emerging talents, promote new storytelling languages and contribute to a more diverse and representative cultural landscape across the continent.
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