The Young Pitcher Academy has announced its first batch of 2026 speaker lineup and confirmed that its group presentation and expert panel review day will take place on 13 March at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

The Academy also announced that it will hold the presentation and panel review in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation across the continent.

The programme, which aims to develop the next generation of creative and strategic talent across Africa, has assembled a roster of industry leaders to guide participants through its masterclass series. The speakers include Max Ngari, Chief Creative Officer for Dentsu Creative Africa covering Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania; Oriane Canfrin, Head of Marketing and Communications at Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire; Graham Deneys, Chief Strategy Officer at Dentsu Media Brands South Africa; Carolina Rodriguez, Director at Dilucidar Singapore; and Nnenna Onyewuchi, Founder of The Barefoot Strategist Nigeria.

The expert panel review day marks the conclusion of the Academy’s cross-disciplinary masterclasses week, which runs from 9 to 13 March. Participants will receive a creative brief on Wednesday, 11 March, collaborate through Thursday, then present their concepts either in person at the Lagos venue or virtually before a panel of industry experts on Friday.

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The masterclasses week focuses on creativity, culture, strategy, storytelling, collaboration, and case studies. Following this intensive period, the programme continues with sector-specific sessions from 16 to 20 March, offering deep dives into creative, media, PR, and brand disciplines.

The Young Pitcher competitions, scheduled for 4 to 8 May, will provide participants with a continental platform to showcase their developed skills and compete amongst peers.

The 2026 cohort is currently accepting registrations. The programme is positioned as one of Africa’s leading creative development initiatives, offering participants cross-disciplinary training and exposure to industry-level practices.

The hybrid format for the panel review day reflects the Academy’s commitment to accessibility, allowing talent from across Africa to participate without geographical constraints while maintaining an in-person component for those able to attend in Lagos.