Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi is advancing African-centred storytelling through Kunda Kids.
Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi, a Ugandan-born innovation specialist, is advancing African-centred storytelling through Kunda Kids, the children’s media and EdTech company she co-founded and now leads as Chief Operating Officer. Her work reflects a growing movement toward more inclusive narratives in early childhood content and contributes to broader global conversations on cultural representation in media.
Founded in 2020 by Louisa and her husband, Dele Olafuyi, Kunda Kids began with a simple intention: to ensure their son had access to stories that reflected African cultures, characters, and histories. Confronted with the scarcity of such material in mainstream children’s media, they set out to create content that could offer young readers and viewers a sense of identity, belonging, and cultural familiarity.
Louisa’s background in education and innovation—shaped by experience with organisations such as Cambridge University Press, WPP, and Unilever—plays a central role in guiding the company’s direction. This blend of educational insight and creative strategy informs Kunda Kids’ approach to producing culturally rooted stories that support early learning objectives and align with primary school curricula.
Since its launch, Kunda Kids has built a diverse portfolio of children’s books, animations, music, and digital learning resources. The company reports that its materials are now used by more than 400 schools worldwide, reaching audiences in over 170 countries. Its mobile app has recorded thousands of downloads, and the brand continues to grow its catalogue with new series and educational tools.
Parents, educators, and early years practitioners increasingly recognise Kunda Kids for its culturally inclusive learning resources, particularly those grounded in African storytelling traditions and heritage. The company has also attracted investor interest, with new funding directed toward expanding its animated content and developing additional educational products.
Louisa’s work has earned recognition within the African creative sector and the wider EdTech ecosystem. Kunda Kids won “Start-Up of the Year” at the Art of Technology Lagos Awards in 2023. She was selected as one of the Top 50 candidates of the Africa Business Heroes Prize Competition in 2024, among other recognitions.
Beyond these accolades, the brand’s deeper impact lies in helping normalise African narratives within global children’s storytelling. Through characters, historical figures, and folklore drawn from across the continent, Kunda Kids is expanding the cultural perspectives available to young audiences while supporting literacy and emotional development.
As co-founder and COO, Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi continues to guide the strategic evolution of Kunda Kids, particularly in creating content that bridges education with cultural awareness. Her work reflects an ongoing effort within the children’s media sector to address long-standing gaps in representation and broaden the stories available to young learners. While the company continues to evolve, its vision aligns with a wider push for more authentic and diverse storytelling in early childhood education
