Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its flagship beer brand Tusker, has renewed its partnership with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, reaffirming its commitment to championing Kenya’s next generation of creative leaders through the Young Lions Kenya Competition 2026.
KBL is hosting this year’s competition from 6–8 February 2026 at the EABL Microbrewery, bringing together the country’s brightest emerging minds in advertising and communications for an intense, high-stakes creative showdown.
The Young Lions Kenya Competition is a national platform for advertising and communications professionals under the age of 30, designed to identify, nurture, and elevate exceptional talent in design, film, and digital. Winners earn the opportunity to represent Kenya on the world stage at the Cannes Lions Festival in France, the most prestigious global celebration of creativity and marketing excellence.
This year’s edition will see 42 creatives, competing in 21 teams, 8 in design, 6 in film, and 7 in digital, evaluated by a panel of 30 industry judges across the three categories. Over a gruelling 48-hour creative sprint, participants will respond to real-world briefs, pushing the boundaries of innovation, storytelling, and strategic thinking.
Speaking on the renewed partnership, Christine Kariuki, Head of Mainstream Beer, said:
“As a brand deeply rooted in Kenya’s cultural fabric, we are proud to once again host the Young Lions Kenya Competition. This platform gives young creatives the opportunity to showcase their skills, benchmark themselves against global standards, and gain exposure at the world’s most prestigious celebration of creativity. Tusker remains committed to consistently unlocking opportunities for this budding talent to learn, grow, and excel in their careers.”
The renewed partnership comes at a time when Kenya’s creative economy continues to play a vital role in national development. According to the Economic Survey 2023, the arts, recreation, and entertainment sector contributes 5% of Kenya’s GDP and 0.25% of total wage employment, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in creative talent.
Through this collaboration, KBL continues to play a catalytic role in empowering young creatives while strengthening Kenya’s global creative footprint. Winning teams will go on to fly the Kenyan flag at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, competing with the world’s best and showcasing the depth of talent emerging from the country.
The partnership further reinforces KBL’s long-standing commitment to creativity, collaboration, and excellence across the marketing and communications ecosystem. From musicians and filmmakers to designers and storytellers, Tusker remains dedicated to nurturing homegrown talent and fuelling bold creative ambition ensuring Kenyan creativity continues to stand tall on the global stage.
