Kenya endorses Africa’s Next Super Model 2026

Kenya Map. Photo: Britannica

The Government of Kenya has described Africa’s Next Model 2026 as a strategic platform for tourism promotion, cultural diplomacy and the growth of the country’s creative economy.

The Kenyan Ministry made this remark while endorsing the continental modelling initiative founded by Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and model scout, Joan Okorodudu.

The grand finale of the Africa’s Next Super Model 2026 holds in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, on November 2, 2026, while the casting call for the occasion will take place in Nairobi on August 29, 2026.

In a statement by the Principal Secretary, Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, State Department for Tourism, Prof. Julius Bitok, the East African country conveyed its endorsement to Okorodudu, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of ISIS Models/Africa’s Next Super Model.

The ministry also recognised Africa International Fashion Week as a strategic tourism and creative economy event capable of enhancing Kenya’s international visibility and contributing to tourism growth.

Bitok, in the statement, said the Kenyan government had prioritised the creative economy as a key driver of economic transformation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, making reference to its contribution to employment creation, youth empowerment, innovation, exports and tourism.

“The Ministry officially endorses Africa’s Next Super Model 2026 and recognises the Africa International Fashion Week as a strategic event that will contribute to tourism promotion, destination marketing, cultural diplomacy, and the growth of Kenya’s creative economy,” Bitok stated.

He said Kenya would leverage ANSM’s continental reach because of its capacity to identify, nurture and showcase emerging African modelling talent while promoting African fashion, culture, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Principal Secretary said the initiative attracts “participants, fashion designers, photographers, media houses, investors, and international audiences from across Africa and beyond.”

Bitok also highlighted the emergence of fashion tourism as an important niche tourism product, complementing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, cultural tourism, shopping tourism and destination branding.

He said, “We believe that our partnership will enhance tourism growth in Africa.”

The ministry said the event would showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage through fashion while positioning Kenya as an attractive tourism and investment destination.

“This event will highlight Africa’s rich cultural heritage through fashion while positioning Kenya as an attractive tourism and investment destination,” Bitok emphasised.