Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has announced a partnership between the Kenyan government and British actor Idris Elba’s Akuna Group to create more opportunities for young people in the creative industry.
Sing’Oei signed a Statement of Intent with Elba on Tuesday, November 3, on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
In a statement announcing the development, the PS said the agreement would establish a framework for cooperation between Kenya and the actor’s organisation in the creative economy.
“On the sidelines of #CHOGM2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, I signed a Statement of Intent on behalf of Kenya with Sir Idris Elba, Chairman of the Akuna Group, establishing a pathway for cooperation in the creative economy,” Sing’Oei said.
According to the PS, the partnership will explore financing opportunities for content creators while linking African talent with investors, technology and international markets.
The agreement also provides for collaboration in creative industries, artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation, skills development and access to global markets.
The government expects the initiative to complement its Talanta Hela programme by helping young creatives monetise their abilities, develop sustainable businesses and expand their reach beyond Kenya.
“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.
The partnership is being pursued under the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership, a regional initiative bringing together Kenya, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Barbados.
Sing’Oei further revealed that President William Ruto had invited Elba to visit Kenya during the upcoming Internet Governance Forum, where the programme underpinning the collaboration is expected to be launched.
Kenya's Previous Engagements With Idris Elba
The latest agreement follows earlier discussions between Sing’Oei and Elba in September, when the two held a virtual meeting to examine challenges affecting young African artists and creative entrepreneurs.
During the engagement, Elba highlighted several areas requiring practical intervention to help creatives build sustainable careers and compete internationally.
These included access to professional networks, international markets, creative education, dependable payment systems and emerging technologies.
The actor has also been advancing initiatives aimed at equipping African filmmakers with artificial intelligence skills through training and mentorship programmes.
In October, Elba announced an AI filmmaking initiative developed in partnership with Google and Curious Refuge, an online school specialising in AI-powered filmmaking. The programme is designed to help African filmmakers incorporate emerging technologies into their productions while developing their technical and storytelling abilities.
It also includes production funding for selected projects, with participating filmmakers retaining ownership of their creative work.
The latest partnership signals Kenya's efforts to position its creative economy as a source of employment, entrepreneurship and international investment, particularly for young people seeking opportunities in film, digital content and other creative fields.
