Africa’s winning roundup

The Partnership Agency celebrate on stage at Cannes Lions 2026. Source: LinkedIn.

A first for Kenya

Kenya's The Partnership Agency secured its first-ever Cannes Lions Grand Prix, and the continent's only Grand Prix of 2026, in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) category for Sick Leave for Cows.

The agency also earned a Bronze Lion under Strategy for the same campaign.

Said SDG Jury President Kazoo Sato: “The Jury awarded the Grand Prix to a piece of work with a brilliantly simple idea that goes beyond awareness to create lasting systemic change. It transforms an apparent trade-off into shared value, benefiting people, business and other species alike. More than solving a single problem, it offers a replicable model for how creativity can help redesign a more sustainable future.”

South Africa represents

South Africa had the most to show for the continent in multiple categories. Edelman won a Silver Lion in Glass: The Lion for Change (Initiatives) for The Unburied Casket, while VML South Africa and Vaseline earned a Silver Lion in Social & Creator (Engagement) for Mtana ka Gogo.

Cannes Lions

#Cannes2026 | Joe Public kickstarts SA’s 2026 campaign

Danette Breitenbach  23 Jun 2026

Accenture Song South Africa added a Silver Lion in Entertainment for The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix under Innovation in Branded Content.

South Africa's four Bronze Lions went to Accenture Song South Africa in Creative Data for The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix, Edelman in PR for The Unburied Casket and Joe Public in the Script category for Hansa Pilsner’s Healing Era campaign. The agency also earned Bronze recognition in the Campaign section for The Hustle and DeLulu is the Solulu.

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