The Young Lions Competition is a prestigious national contest that qualifies top-performing young professionals to represent their country at the Global Young Lions Finals held in-person during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
This competition is designed for teams of two professionals aged 30 or younger by June 26, 2026, working in advertising, media, PR, brand management, digital communications, or client-side marketing roles.
Your ticket to Cannes starts here, earn your place among the world’s most celebrated young professionals.
Who Can Participate?
In 2026, the Young Lions Competition is open to participants from West and Central Africa (WECA).
Please note:
Participants must be resident and professionally active in their country of registration.
All participants must be 30 years old or younger by June 20, 2026.
Students are not eligible to participate.
Participants are responsible for the cost of registration, travel, and sponsorship, unless covered by a third party. See Terms and Conditions for full details.
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How it Works
The national leg of the competition is held virtually, so you can participate without leaving your country.
Winning teams from eligible regions will qualify to compete in-person at the Global Young Lions Competition in Cannes, France.
If the highest-ranking team is unable to travel, the next highest-ranking team will be declared the national winner.
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Requirements for Global Participation
To qualify for the international finals in Cannes, winning teams must:
Possess a valid international passport
Secure a sponsorship letter from their employer
Submit Schengen visa applications by the first week of February 2026
Cover the estimated cost of participation, which is approximately EUR 11,500 per team (unless covered by a third-party sponsor)
CHINI Africa may provide supporting documentation but does not guarantee visa approval, nor does it fund or sponsor travel.​
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Accommodation in Cannes
Standard accommodation is arranged in 2/3-star hotels or studio apartments. Teams of the same gender may share twin rooms. Mixed-gender teams will be paired with other competitors of the same gender.
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Role of CHINI Africa
CHINI Africa serves as the national organizer for the Young Lions Competition in eligible WECA countries. Its role includes:
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Facilitating the national selection process
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Providing administrative support
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Coordinating with Cannes Lions on behalf of participants
CHINI Africa does not provide financial sponsorship, travel arrangements, or visa guarantees.
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Competition Categories
Each category requires a team of two professionals aged 30 or younger:
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Film – 72 hours to respond to the brief
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Digital – 24 hours to create an integrated social media campaign
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Marketer – 24 hours for client-side professionals to respond
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Media – 24 hours for media agency professionals
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Print – 24 hours for a writer and art director team
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Design – 24 hours for a writer and art director team
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PR – 24 hours for PR practitioners
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Registration Fee
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EUR 30 per team (or NGN 55,000) This fee covers participation in the national leg of the Young Lions Competition.