A new regional initiative is taking shape and positioning comic book storytelling as a tool for cultural reflection and narrative ownership. The East African Comic Competition 2026, organised by the Alliances Françaises and French Institutes in the region, is inviting young creators to submit original comic works based on the theme “Inhabiting the World”, opening deeper questions around identity, displacement, and the shifting realities of life in contemporary Africa.
According to organisers, the theme is designed to encourage participants to explore questions of identity, belonging, and the realities of living in a rapidly changing world. Contributors may approach the topic from a wide range of perspectives, including migration, urban life, environmental concerns, community, and social justice.
Open to creators aged 18 to 35 across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, and Uganda, the competition signals a growing institutional recognition of comics as a serious storytelling medium within the region’s creative economy. Participants are invited to submit original works in English, French, or Swahili, reinforcing the linguistic and cultural diversity that defines East Africa’s narrative landscape.
Beyond the competition itself, the initiative is structured as a developmental pipeline. Between April and July 2026, selected participants will be engaged in a series of online masterclasses led by notable French comic authors like Géraldine Grenet, Lili Sohn, and Cookie Kalkair, with a focus on critical aspects like scripting, storyboarding, and character development.
Submissions close on July 31, with entries first undergoing national-level selection before advancing to a regional jury composed of industry professionals. Ten finalists will be unveiled in early September, with their works slated for exhibition across the Alliance Française network and digital publication.
Winners will be announced on October 6, 2026, in Nairobi. The first prize includes a cash award of 800 Euros and professional representation at international book fairs. Second and third place winners will also receive cash and book prizes, respectively.
Organisers say the competition is intended not only to recognise artistic talent but also to create opportunities for emerging creators to gain visibility and access to professional networks. The initiative reflects a broader effort to support cultural production in East Africa and provide young artists with platforms to share their perspectives through visual storytelling.
Written by Simisola Afolabi and Edited by Mujeeb Jummah
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
AI Use at TheACE
TheACE uses artificial intelligence tools to support research, drafting and analysis across Africa’s creative industries. All content is verified, edited and approved by our human editorial team to ensure accuracy, clarity and responsible storytelling. AI assists our work; it does not replace human judgment.
