Canon Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Miraisha Programme: Empowering Young Africans with Skills

In addition, Canon will release a coffee table book showcasing the outstanding work and achievements of Miraisha students and trainers over the past decade.

Canon Central and North Africa (Canon-CNA.com) proudly announces the 10th anniversary of its Miraisha Programme, a pioneering initiative dedicated to creating job opportunities and supporting future livelihoods for young people across Africa. Since its inception, the programme has provided skills workshops, training programmes, and enterprise support, educating over 7,000 future professionals across the continent. The programme aims to train 10,000 participants by 2027.

Aligning with Canon's corporate philosophy of Kyosei, which means living and working together for the common good, the Miraisha Programme fosters job opportunities in Africa by offering workshops for photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and print business owners. The name 'Miraisha' combines Japanese and Swahili, reflecting the programme's cross-cultural approach.

Since 2014, the Miraisha Programme has collaborated with various organisations across Africa, including Kenyatta University, Kenya Film Commission, Yabba College of Technology in Nigeria, Uganda Press Photo Award, The NRB Bus, Zebra Productions Kenya LTD, Lens on Life, PEFTI Film Institute in Nigeria, and the National Film & TV Institute of Ghana. These partnerships have been instrumental in fostering future livelihoods across the African continent.

"We are excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Miraisha Programme, which embodies our ongoing commitment to empowering youth and supporting sustainable development across Africa," says Somesh Adukia, Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa. "This programme has been instrumental in fostering talent, creating opportunities, and catalysing positive change. As we reflect on a decade of impact, we reaffirm our dedication to nurturing talent and driving societal progress through initiatives like Miraisha."

To celebrate this significant milestone, Canon has planned a series of activities throughout the anniversary year. These include a portfolio review exclusively for African photographers, focusing on documentary and wedding photography. Selected portfolios will be reviewed by Canon experts, providing participants with valuable insights and constructive feedback. Chosen individuals will receive personalized mentorship to further develop their skills under the guidance of industry professionals.

In addition, Canon will release a coffee table book showcasing the outstanding work and achievements of Miraisha students and trainers over the past decade. This publication will highlight inspiring success stories and key projects undertaken by programme participants.

Panel discussions will also be held in collaboration with Miraisha partners and Canon, focusing on the programme's role in addressing skills gaps across Africa. These discussions will provide a platform for exploring industry challenges and opportunities, laying the groundwork for future feature articles that offer comprehensive analysis and commentary.

The Miraisha Programme will offer online training master classes conducted by industry experts in both English and French. These sessions, available via social media registration, will cater to passionate photographers and filmmakers, providing essential skills development opportunities. The classes will focus on the business aspects of photography, empowering attendees to initiate their own ventures or enhance their current business models and strategies.

Canon remains committed to nurturing young talent and driving positive change in Africa through initiatives like the Miraisha Programme. By providing access to essential skills, mentorship opportunities, and resources, Canon aims to unlock the full potential of the continent's vibrant youth demographic, driving economic growth, innovation, and societal progress.