Kenya has signed a partnership agreement with British actor and filmmaker Sir Idris Elba to expand opportunities for local creatives through technology, artificial intelligence, investment and access to international markets.
The agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Abraham Korir Sing’Oei on behalf of the Kenyan government during the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.
Sing’Oei signed the Statement of Intent with Elba, who chairs the Akuna Group, establishing a framework for cooperation in the creative economy, responsible artificial intelligence, digital innovation, youth skills development and creator financing.
The partnership also seeks to connect creative businesses in Kenya and other participating Commonwealth countries to international markets and investment opportunities.
The initiative brings together Kenya, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Barbados under the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership.
In announcing the agreement, Sing’Oei said the partnership would help connect Kenyan creative talent to technology, investment and opportunities across the Commonwealth.
“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 stated.
He described the agreement as a major boost to the government’s Talanta Hela programme, which focuses on identifying, nurturing and monetising talent among young people.
According to the PS, the partnership will provide creative entrepreneurs with routes to market while strengthening their ability to generate income from their work.
Sing’Oei further disclosed that he had conveyed President William Ruto’s invitation to Elba to visit Kenya during the forthcoming Internet Governance Forum (IGF), 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 program,” he added.
The agreement comes as Kenya seeks to position its creative industry as a source of employment, business growth and international influence, particularly among young people.
The agreement follows earlier engagements between the Kenyan government and Elba, who has been advocating for greater investment in Africa’s creative industries.
In September 2026, Sing’Oei held a virtual meeting with the actor to discuss ways of expanding opportunities for African creatives, including access to international payment systems, professional networks, creative education, emerging technologies and global markets.
During the discussions, Elba highlighted the need to address challenges preventing African artists and creative entrepreneurs from benefiting fully from their work.
The Akuna Group, which he chairs, focuses on developing Africa’s creative economy by connecting talent to skills, financing, platforms and international opportunities.
The latest agreement also comes days after Akuna Group announced a free artificial intelligence filmmaking programme in partnership with Google, targeting aspiring and emerging filmmakers in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa.
The programme, known as From Script to Screen with AI, is supported by US$1 million in funding from Google.org and will offer training, mentorship and opportunities for selected participants to secure funding for film production.
Applications opened on October 26 and will close on November 15, 2026. Selected participants will undergo a 12-week online academy between February and April 2027 before progressing to mentorship, project pitching and film production.
Elba said the initiative was intended to expand access to training and help African creatives tell their own stories.
“Selected projects will receive production funding, and creators will retain control of their work,” he said.
The Kenyan government launched Talanta Hela to identify, nurture and monetise talent among young people, particularly in sports and the creative industries.
The programme seeks to create opportunities for talented individuals to turn their abilities into sustainable careers and businesses.
Its objectives include developing talent pipelines, supporting emerging creatives and creating pathways for young people to earn from their skills.
The new partnership with Akuna Group is expected to complement these efforts by connecting Kenyan creatives to international financing, technology, mentorship and distribution opportunities.
