Welcome to the Young Pitcher Academy
Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Creative Leaders
Formerly known as the Young Professionals Academy, the Young Pitcher Academy is the reimagined learning and development hub for young professionals under 30 working in advertising, brand management, digital communications, copywriting, art direction, media, PR, and marketing communications across Africa.
Running from 9 March to 16 May 2026, this academy offers a dynamic blend of intensive online training, mentorship, regional bootcamps, and high-stakes competitions, culminating in the announcement of winners during the Pitcher Festival. Participants will engage with leading creative thinkers from across the continent and beyond, gaining insights that accelerate their career growth and expand their global perspective.
Whether you're a rising strategist, storyteller, designer, or brand innovator, the Young Pitcher Academy is designed to fit seamlessly into your professional life—delivering high-impact learning with minimal disruption to your work schedule.
All participants receive a certificate of participation and gain access to the prestigious Young Pitcher Competition, where Africa’s brightest young talents compete for continental honors across categories including Film, Digital, Brand, Media, Print, Design, and PR.
Key Dates – Young Pitcher Academy 2026
Stay on track with the major milestones of the Young Pitcher Academy programme:
Registration Opens
🗓️ 1 October 2025
Secure your spot early to access all training, competitions, and festival activities.
Cross-Disciplinary Masterclasses Week
🗓️ 9 – 13 March 2026 A week of high-impact seminars and workshops designed for all participants, regardless of specialization. Learn from top creative leaders across Africa and beyond.
🔸 Regional Watch Parties
Join fellow participants in select African cities—such as Lagos, Accra, Nairobi—for in-person or virtual gatherings to experience the masterclasses together. A great way to connect, collaborate, and build local creative communities.
Sector-Specific Sessions
🗓️ 16 – 20 March 2026 Focused learning tracks tailored to your discipline—Creative, Media, PR, or Brand. Deepen your expertise with targeted insights and mentorship.
Young Pitcher Competitions
🗓️ 4 – 8 May 2026 Compete in your chosen category and showcase your talent on a continental stage.
Winners Announcement
🗓️ 16 May 2026 Celebrate excellence as the top teams are revealed during the Pitcher Festival.
Young Pitcher Competition
Showcasing Africa’s Brightest Young Creative Talent
The Young Pitcher Competition is a premier pan-African platform for young professionals in Marketing Communications to demonstrate their creativity, strategic thinking, and craft across multiple disciplines.
Open to participants from all African countries, the competition is conducted entirely online, making it accessible to emerging talent across the continent.
Participants compete in seven dynamic categories, with winners crowned during the prestigious Pitcher Festival in May.
Eligibility:
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Aged 30 or younger
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Employed or freelancing in any African country
Further details about the 2025 Young Pitcher Competition will be announced soon. Register your interest today and be part of Africa’s creative future.
Competition Categories
Film - Teams of two creatives respond to a brief with a compelling film concept. Duration: 72 hours
Digital - Teams of two digital creatives develop an integrated social media campaign. Duration: 48 hours
Brand - Teams of two client-side professionals submit a strategic brand response. Duration: 48 hours
Media - Teams of two media agency professionals craft a media strategy. Duration: 48 hours
Print - Teams of a writer and an art director deliver a print ad concept. Duration: 48 hours
Design - Teams of a writer and an art director respond to a design brief. Duration: 48 hours
PR - Teams of two PR practitioners develop a PR campaign. Duration: 48 hours
Registration Fee
USD 100 per participant Includes:
✔ Access to all training programs
✔ Entry into all Young Pitcher Competition categories
✔ Participation in the Pitcher Festival