The Cameroonian animated series Ina & Didi, produced by Waanda Studio, has been awarded First Prize in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Pitch Competition organized by the European Union in Cameroon during the Business Week held as part of PROMOTE 2026.
This recognition celebrates an animation project driven by a passionate team that has spent several years developing original African content for young audiences.
According to the project's creator, Paterson Duplex Sikoue, the competition was a real challenge:
"Convincing a jury in three minutes and generating maximum interest before they even watched the project was no easy task."
Competing alongside highly visible sectors such as film, music, and comedy, defending an animation series required determination and strong storytelling. Yet the jury chose to recognize Ina & Didi, once again demonstrating that African animation has a promising place within the continent's growing creative industries.
For the Waanda Studio team, this award is above all a tribute to collective effort:
"This prize is dedicated to the entire Waanda Studio team, those animation craftsmen who devote their time and talent to bringing every second of this series to life."
Beyond the award itself, this achievement sends a powerful message to creators across Africa. It shows that animation projects can attract investors, convince professional juries, and earn recognition at major events focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
CANIMAF also welcomes the initiative led by the European Union in Cameroon, which continues to provide valuable visibility and opportunities for African Cultural and Creative Industries.
As Paterson Duplex Sikoue emphasized:
"The CCI sector needs more platforms like this to demonstrate that art and culture are far more than charitable entertainment."
Congratulations to Waanda Studio, Paterson Duplex Sikoue, and the entire Ina & Didi team for this remarkable achievement, which contributes to the growth and international recognition of both Cameroonian and African animation.
Photo credit : Ina & Didi
