Kenya has entered into a partnership with British actor Idris Elba's Akuna Group to create employment opportunities for young people in the creative industry.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei announced the agreement after signing a Statement of Intent with Elba on November 3, 2026, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The partnership seeks to connect young African content creators with funding, digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), skills training and international markets.
It will also support Kenya's Talanta Hela programme by helping local artists commercialise their work and access investment opportunities.
The agreement falls under the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership, which brings together Kenya, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Barbados.
In a statement shared on X, Sing’Oei said the agreement would establish cooperation in several areas, including responsible AI, digital innovation, youth skills development, creator financing and access to global markets.
"Our ambition is to connect Kenya’s extraordinary creative talent to technology, investment and opportunities across the Commonwealth, turning creativity into dignified work, scalable enterprise and national influence," he wrote.
The PS described the agreement as a boost to Talanta Hela, a government initiative focused on identifying and nurturing talent.
He said the partnership would help young creatives access markets and strengthen their ability to generate income from their work.
Sing’Oei also revealed that President William Ruto had invited Elba to visit Kenya during the forthcoming Internet Governance Forum, where the programme is expected to be unveiled.
"On behalf of President Ruto, I conveyed our invitation to Sir Idris Elba to Kenya during the forthcoming Internet Governance Forum to unveil the programme," he added.
The agreement follows virtual discussions held in September 2026, during which Elba raised concerns about the challenges facing young African creatives.
He pointed to the need for practical support, including creative education, access to international markets and reliable digital payment systems.
Akuna Group has also partnered with Google and Curious Refuge on a training initiative aimed at equipping African filmmakers with artificial intelligence skills and providing funding for selected projects.