Ubongo Launches Season 5 of Akili and Me with Focus on Emotional Learning

The fifth season builds on the show’s foundation of music, stories, and colorful animation—but this time with a targeted focus on emotional intelligence.

Africa’s most beloved early childhood edutainment series, Akili and Me, is back with a bold and beautiful fifth season, marking a transformative moment for millions of young learners across the continent. Created by Ubongo, Africa’s leading children’s educational media organization, Akili and Me Season 5 takes early learning beyond literacy and numeracy into the heart of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)—teaching children how to understand, manage, and express their emotions.

Launched on multiple platforms and now enhanced with new animation, updated character designs, and interactive digital features, Season 5 is already being hailed as one of the most significant evolutions of the show since its inception. With this season, Ubongo deepens its mission of inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning for children from all walks of life.

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Big Feelings, Little Learners: A New SEL Focus

The fifth season builds on the show’s foundation of music, stories, and colorful animation—but this time with a targeted focus on emotional intelligence. Through sing-alongs, relatable stories, and playful skits, young viewers are introduced to critical SEL themes like:

• Identifying and naming emotions (joy, anger, sadness, fear, etc.)

• Practicing mindfulness and calming techniques

• Building empathy and understanding others’ perspectives

• Developing resilience in the face of challenges

“With Season 5, we wanted to go beyond ABCs and 123s and focus on something even more fundamental—helping kids understand and express their emotions,” said Tamala Maerere-Kateka, Senior Strategic Communications Manager at Ubongo.

“When children learn how to navigate their feelings, they build the confidence and resilience they need to thrive in school and life.”

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A Fresh Look, Familiar Heart

The series now features redesigned characters and visually enhanced animation, offering a more vibrant and expressive look that resonates with today’s tech-savvy children. Akili, the series’ spirited and curious protagonist, is back alongside her friends with even more relatable stories and joyful songs that make learning fun and memorable.

Using modern animation techniques, the show’s visual overhaul supports non-verbal learning cues that help children recognize emotional expressions and reactions—a subtle but powerful teaching tool.

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Learning Through Play: The Akili and Me Digital Ecosystem

Ubongo has taken Akili and Me beyond television by expanding its digital offerings to include interactive games and learning resources. Season 5 coincides with the launch of Akili and Me Games on the Ubongo Playroom app, offering a cohesive and engaging digital experience for children and caregivers.

The app features:

• Curated Akili and Me video episodes

• Audio stories and soundtracks

• Bilingual eBooks

• SEL-themed interactive games

“We know that children learn best through play,” said Maerere-Kateka. “By adding more interactive elements, we’re empowering kids to take an active role in their learning journey.”

The Playroom app ensures safe, ad-free learning for children, and its content is optimized for low-data environments, making it especially relevant in parts of Africa where internet connectivity remains limited.

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A Classroom and a Companion

With millions of young viewers across East, West, and Southern Africa, Akili and Me is more than a TV show—it’s a trusted learning companion. It acts as a “first classroom” for children, many of whom may not yet be enrolled in formal schooling.

Season 5 continues this tradition by reinforcing the values of:

• Inclusivity, by representing diverse African cultures and languages

• Accessibility, through free-to-air broadcasts and digital platforms

• Engagement, by ensuring content is entertaining, relatable, and emotionally enriching

“Big emotions can feel overwhelming for little ones,” Maerere-Kateka explained, “but when children have the words and tools to express themselves, they develop the confidence to face life’s challenges.”

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Empowering Africa’s Next Generation

Founded in Tanzania, Ubongo has grown into a Pan-African powerhouse for early childhood education. Its content now reaches over 32 million households each month through radio, TV, YouTube, and mobile platforms. The organization’s commitment to local languages, contextual relevance, and research-backed design has made it a pioneer in the edutainment space.

With Akili and Me Season 5, Ubongo is not only teaching children how to count or spell but also how to cope, connect, and care—skills as essential as any academic subject in today’s world.

As the series rolls out across Africa and into diaspora communities globally, it carries a simple but powerful message: "Learning starts with love, and education is not just about what you know—but who you are becoming."