A Nairobi-based creative education platform is using AI tools to train teenagers to write, illustrate, and publish comic books, opening a path for more African creators in a global industry worth billions. Kelele Comics ran its first programme in April 2026, producing five fully illustrated comics created by students with no prior experience. For working creatives, the project offers a practical look at how AI for Creatives can shorten the journey from raw idea to finished product, particularly in visual storytelling where technical skill and software costs have long been a barrier.
From consumer to creator
"We realize that in Africa most people are consumers of content," said Joe Gweth, Chief Operations Lead at Kelele Comics. "What we are trying to do at Kelele Comics is trying to rewrite the narrative and ensure that we have our teenagers and the youth having a platform to tell much of the story to the rest of the world."
The pilot programme enrolled 26 students aged 13 to 17. They learned script writing, visual storytelling, and hands-on use of AI image generation tools. Within weeks, the participants published their first comics online. Gweth said the results exceeded expectations. "These are people who were complete novices, who had no experience in the creative space, AI tools and now they are good at them," he said.
Scaling up for the next intake
Kelele Comics is now preparing an August 2026 cohort with a target of 60 comics. The curriculum will expand, and the organization is building school partnerships to reach more students. The aim is to build a pipeline of young comic publishers who can produce original work for local and international audiences.
Why this matters for Creatives
The programme relies on AI image generation tools, a direct application of Generative Art that creatives can use for concept art, storyboarding, and final illustrations. As AI-assisted creation becomes more common, the ability to combine artistic vision with these tools is likely to grow in demand. Kelele Comics' model shows that even complete beginners can produce publishable work with the right training - a signal that the barrier to entry in visual storytelling is shifting, not just for teenagers in Nairobi, but for any creative professional willing to update their toolkit.
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