The Canon Academy Juniors programme forms part of Canon’s wider commitment to education and skills development across Africa. Photo courtesy Canon Junior website
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) has partnered with Star Kids Club, a leading East African talent academy, to introduce the Canon Academy Juniors photography training programme in Kampala, Uganda.
Aimed at children aged 8 to 16, the initiative is designed to foster creativity, build technical photography skills, and encourage storytelling through imagery.
The launch in Kampala marks the expansion of Canon’s educational initiatives in Africa.
The programme reflects Canon’s commitment to youth empowerment through skill development, aligning with the company’s Kyosei philosophy of working together for the common good.
It builds on Canon’s existing platforms, such as the Miraisha Programme and the Young People Programme (YPP), which equip African youth with tools to thrive in creative industries.
Canon Academy Juniors focuses on hands-on learning, providing young participants with practical photography training.
Through a series of structured workshops, children learn the fundamentals of visual storytelling, composition, and camera techniques.
Participants also receive mentorship to help develop their artistic voices and build confidence in their creative abilities.
The training programme is delivered in partnership with Star Kids Club, a regional leader in nurturing artistic talent through theatre, dance, music, and film.
With a strong reputation in arts education, Star Kids Club offers an ideal environment for introducing photography to young creatives.
The collaboration allows Canon to reach youth already immersed in the arts and offer them a new medium of expression.
Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa, said the initiative is rooted in the belief that every child has a story to tell. “Photography offers young people a powerful way to express their ideas and creativity,” he said.
“Canon Academy Juniors creates a space where children can learn new skills, explore visual storytelling, and gain confidence. Our partnership with Star Kids Club is a key part of our commitment to investing in the next generation of African creatives.”
Participants in the programme received certificates, branded Canon T-shirts, and access to exclusive product offers.
The workshops are designed to run in cycles, allowing for sustained mentorship and growth over time.
The programme is intended to be more than a single training event—it offers a continuing pathway for young people to develop their talent and consider future opportunities in the creative sector.
Hunter Moses Nsubuga, CEO of Star Kids Club, said the initiative fits closely with the club’s mission.
“At Star Kids Club, we are dedicated to helping children explore their creative talents with confidence,” he said.
“Partnering with Canon on this project enabled our young members to experience photography as a tool for self-expression and storytelling. Watching them engage with new skills and discover their unique visual perspectives was incredibly rewarding.”
Canon and Star Kids Club plan to expand the Canon Academy Juniors initiative further.
Plans include advanced photography workshops, curated exhibitions of student work, and photography competitions to inspire young storytellers.
These developments are intended to deepen the programme’s impact, offering youth greater exposure and opportunities in creative and media-related fields.
The initiative is already contributing to the development of Uganda’s creative industry by giving children early exposure to the possibilities of photography as both an art form and a career path.
Canon sees this investment as part of a broader effort to build a vibrant, inclusive creative economy in Africa.
The company continues to position itself as a leader in promoting youth development, skills training, and access to tools that can drive long-term growth in the imaging sector.
With the successful launch of Canon Academy Juniors in Uganda, Canon is reaffirming its long-term vision of empowering African youth through education and creativity.
By creating platforms for mentorship and artistic development, the company is helping to inspire the next generation of visual storytellers across the continent.
As the programme evolves, Canon plans to continue identifying emerging talent, sharing powerful narratives, and supporting the growth of a diverse and dynamic imaging community throughout Africa.
