HEVA Fund & Mastercard Foundation Unveil The Progress Of The Sanara Program

The Creative Frontier, Opening New Horizons For Talent & Transformation

On Thursday, 2nd July 2026, the elegant halls of the Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill became the epicentre of Kenya’s creative economy dialogue as HEVA Fund and the Mastercard Foundation hosted a high-impact press conference to present the status report of the Sanara Program, Kenya’s largest creative economy initiative. Bringing together media professionals, development partners, creative industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders, the event showcased a bold vision of empowering young creatives and unlocking the immense potential of Kenya’s cultural and creative industries. Through comprehensive live coverage, Go Places Media captured every inspiring moment, insightful discussion, and transformational milestone that defined the morning.

At the heart of the briefing was the remarkable progress of the Sanara Program, a flagship initiative implemented through a powerful consortium comprising HEVA Fund, SNDBX-Ubuntu, Baraza Media Lab, and GoDown Arts Centre. Designed to accelerate opportunities for young creatives across Nairobi, Turkana, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kisumu, and Mombasa counties, the program is on a mission to impact 110,000 young women and men between the ages of 18 and 35 by 2027, including 77,000 young women, 11,000 refugees, and 5,500 persons with disabilities. The initiative stands as a transformative blueprint for inclusive economic empowerment and sustainable creative enterprise development.

The media briefing featured compelling presentations and reflections from distinguished industry leaders including Sandra Owiti, Lead, Youth Engagement at Mastercard Foundation; Wakiuru Njuguna, Managing Partner at HEVA Fund; Tabitha Masese, Program Manager for the Sanara Project; Joram Mwinamo, Managing Director of SNDBX-Ubuntu; Maurice Otieno, Executive Director of Baraza Media Lab; and Joy Mboya, Managing Director of GoDown Arts Centre. Their collective insights painted an inspiring picture of a rapidly evolving creative ecosystem where innovation, skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to opportunities are transforming lives and strengthening Kenya’s creative economy.

A defining highlight of the event was the emphasis on the sectors driving the Sanara Program’s impact. The initiative continues to champion opportunities within Fashion, Garments and Accessories; Film, Television, Content Creation, Gaming and Audio-Visual Production; and Live Music, Theatre and Performing Arts. These sectors, increasingly recognised as engines of employment and cultural influence, are providing thousands of young people with pathways to meaningful livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness while positioning Kenya as a leading creative hub on the African continent.

Throughout the discussions, a powerful message resonated across the room: the creative economy is no longer a peripheral industry but a significant pillar of economic growth, social inclusion, and youth empowerment. Speakers highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships, ecosystem collaboration, and sustained investment in nurturing creative talent and building resilient enterprises capable of driving long-term socio-economic transformation. The Sanara Program emerged as a shining example of how purpose-driven initiatives can bridge opportunity gaps and create lasting impact for underserved communities.

As the press conference concluded, the atmosphere was filled with optimism and renewed purpose. The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of HEVA Fund, Mastercard Foundation, and consortium partners to unlock the boundless potential of Kenya’s creative and cultural industries. Through its immersive storytelling and real-time coverage, Go Places Media amplified this important conversation, capturing a defining moment in Kenya’s creative economy journey—one where innovation, inclusion, and opportunity converge to shape a brighter, more prosperous future for the nation’s next generation of creative changemakers.