When Davison Slice Onyemali founded Kinova Films, now operating as Kinova Animation Studio, his goal was to build Africa’s Pixar. In a world where African cultures, and visual identities remain largely absent from global animation, Onyemali and his team are carving a new path, where African creativity is not merely included but centred.
Through technology-driven production pipelines, authentic storytelling, and a cross-continental team, Kinova Animation Studio is positioning itself as one of the continent’s most promising creative-tech disruptors.
This edition of Techparley’s DRIVE100 brings a spotlight to Kinova Animation Studio, and how it is pioneering a new era of African-inspired animation on the global stage.
“African stories are visually underrepresented in global animation,” Onyemali told Techparley. “We want to empower young African creatives while meeting global audiences hungry for something fresh and culturally grounded.”
Kinova’s Solution
Kinova says it is building its animation ecosystem around a simple but powerful philosophy, which is that technology should amplify creativity, not replace it.
The studio leverages:
- Hybrid workflows combining AI and human creativity
- Remote, cross-country collaboration
- Storytelling deeply rooted in African imagination, identity, and visual culture
This approach offers significant benefits, including lower production costs, faster turnaround times, and a platform where African creatives can showcase world-class talent without leaving the continent.
What Makes Kinova Different
African animation is gaining global attention, with studios like Kugali and Triggerfish breaking into international markets. But Kinova charts a distinct path.
While some studios strive to mimic Western aesthetics, Kinova’s core value lies in originality.
“We merge culture, cinematic storytelling, and technology, creating emotionally resonant stories that feel African yet compete globally,” Onyemali says.
This unique value proposition positions Kinova as more than an animation studio, it is a cultural movement.
A Startup Growing with Purpose
Despite operating in a resource-constrained ecosystem, Kinova has already recorded meaningful progress.
Key Milestones
- Active development of the pilot film, The Masquerade Code, a culturally rich story that aims to introduce Kinova’s cinematic style to the world.
- Formation of a cross-country creative and animation team, proving the strength of remote-first collaboration.
- Acceptance into the FasterCapital EquityPilot programme to strengthen investor readiness and strategic foundations.
- Development of an internal production workflow and brand identity system, ensuring long-term scalability.
The People Behind the Mission
Kinova’s founding team blends artistic mastery with strategic leadership, a combination essential for any studio aiming to compete globally. The team includes:
- Davison Slice Onyemali, Founder & Creative Director: An award-winning sound designer and film composer, Onyemali brings cinematic craftsmanship and creative leadership to the studio.
- Pius Esther, Marketing & Business Development Lead: She drives brand partnerships, visibility, and commercial expansion.
- Akinyotu Tolu, Head of Animation: A 3D artist and visual storyteller leading Kinova’s animation vision.
Together, the trio bring expertise spanning storytelling, sound, business, and design, a multidisciplinary blend critical for world-class animation production.
Kinova is thinking beyond individual films. In the next 6–12 months, the startup wants to finalise The Masquerade Code pilot, launch Kinova Kids for African children’s animation and storytelling.
What This Means
Onyemali believes that government agencies must recognise animation as both a cultural asset and a tech-industry driver.
He emphasises the need for creative-tech infrastructure, government-funded animation labs, grants for emerging studios, and partnerships between tech hubs and local content creators.
For animation startups, funding is only one piece of the puzzle. Onyemali believes venture capitalists should provide creative mentorship, help protect intellectual property, and offer access to global distribution networks. These, he says, are the factors that allow creative startups to scale sustainably.
The global animation market has grown into a dominant force within the entertainment industry, as it is projected to surpass $895 billion by 2034.
With its hybrid production model, ambitious storytelling, and bold mission, experts say Kinova Animation Studio is not just creating films, it is reframing African identity for the world. And if its early momentum is anything to go by, Africa’s next animation revolution may very well begin here.
Talking Points
By merging culture, technology, and cinematic storytelling, Kinova Animation Studio is positioning itself as a transformative force within the continent’s creative-tech ecosystem.
Kinova’s hybrid production model, which combines AI-assisted workflows with human creativity, immediately stands out. This approach allows the studio to produce high-quality animation at a fraction of the typical cost, a major advantage in a market where funding and access to premium tools remain persistent barriers for emerging creators.
At Techparley, we recognise how this type of innovation can reshape Africa’s animation landscape. By building a remote, cross-country creative team and focusing on authentically African narratives, Kinova is enabling a new generation of artists to participate in global storytelling without needing to relocate or rely on foreign studios.
As Kinova expands into projects like Kinova Kids and prepares for future collaborations with global studios, there is significant opportunity for strategic partnerships.
With the right industry support, Kinova Animation Studio is well-positioned to become a leading catalyst for Africa’s animation renaissance, and a contender in the global creative economy.
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