What Kunda Kids does

Kunda Kids is a UK-headquartered children's publishing and media studio founded in 2020 by Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi and Oladele Olafuyi, producing culturally diverse children's books, animated series, and digital learning resources centred on authentic African storytelling. The product portfolio includes original animated preschool series such as Kunda and Friends and the spin-off Thandi's Playtime (distributed via YouTube, Brussels Airlines in-flight entertainment starting June 2025, and Spotify), a catalogue of physical children's books (titles priced $10.99–$17.99 including the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection), a Kunda Kids mobile app with interactive stories and quizzes, branded merchandise, downloadable colouring and activity guides, and birthday party services. Underlying production combines Afrobeats-inspired music with play-based learning and curriculum-aligned storytelling, with content created by teams across London, Lagos, and Kampala. Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer e-commerce (kundakids.com), Amazon marketplace distribution, made-to-order global fulfilment, bulk school orders via [email protected] and [email protected], licensing (e.g., Brussels Airlines), brand partnerships, and a newly launched Family Club loyalty programme. Distribution extends to 400+ schools globally, UK public library networks, and named stockists in Nigeria and Uganda, with operational reach expanding into Rwanda via World Book Day 2026 and into the United States.

Name

Kunda Kids

Legal name

Kunda Kids Ltd

Website

https://kundakids.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kunda Kids is a UK-based children's publishing and media studio founded in 2020, producing culturally diverse books, animated series (Kunda and Friends, Thandi's Playtime), and digital learning resources centered on authentic African storytelling for families, schools, and library networks worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Media

NAICS

Information (51), Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Blankbooks, Looseleaf Binders & Bookbindg & Relatd Work (2780)

akta.pro primary industry

Kids & Family Curated Content Platforms (MPACAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Activity & Practice Books (Workbooks, Puzzles, Handwriting) (EDAGAIAE), Children’s Audio Publishing (Audiobooks & Podcasts) (MPAJAFAI), Creative Arts, Music & Movement Content (EDAGACAG), Educational Games & Kids/Families Game Studios (MPAFAAAI)

Keywords

• Children's publishing
• Preschool animation
• Educational media
• Mobile learning apps
• Kids merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: Award-winning children's books sold directly through e-commerce and Amazon. Physical books ranging from $10.99 to $17.99 for individual titles, with bulk orders available for schools and organizations.
2. Merchandise: Branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, bags), accessories (notebooks, activity guides), and collectibles (character pillows, luggage tags). Made-to-order products with global fulfillment.
3. Animation Content: Original animated series Kunda and Friends and Thandi's Playtime distributed via YouTube. Content monetized through brand partnerships, in-flight entertainment licensing (Brussels Airlines), and streaming integrations.
4. Digital Products and Donations: Digital downloads including activity guides and colouring books. World Book Day donation initiative for African Baby Book Project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kunda Kids creates, publishes, and sells culturally diverse children's books, animated series, and digital learning products centered on African heritage. The portfolio includes picture books such as A is for Africa, Malik's Bridge, Maua and the Garden of Plenty, and the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection; original animated preschool series Kunda and Friends and Thandi's Playtime distributed on YouTube; the Kunda Kids mobile app with interactive stories, quizzes, and language learning; digital colouring and activity guides; music and audio stories on Spotify; and branded merchandise. Content is designed for children aged 3-10 and sold through the company's e-commerce site, Amazon, and licensed channels.

Product overview

Kunda Kids is a children's storytelling and entertainment company offering a portfolio of interconnected media products centered on African culture and heritage. The core offering consists of animated series including Kunda and Friends and Thandi's Playtime, distributed via YouTube and the Kunda Kids mobile app featuring interactive stories and quizzes. The product suite extends to published children's books (the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection and diverse titles like A is for Africa, Malik's Bridge, and Maua and the Garden of Plenty), digital learning resources including colouring and activity guides, music and audio stories available on Spotify, and branded merchandise. The company also operates community initiatives including the African Baby Book Project and World Book Day donations. A loyalty programme (Kunda Kids Family Club) supports customer engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kunda and Friends: Music-led animated preschool series featuring African culture and values
• Thandi's Playtime
• Africa's Little Kings & Queens

Products and services

• Kunda and Friends Original animated preschool series with music, movement, and storytelling that celebrates African heritage while building confidence and curiosity in children ages 3-8.
• Thandi's Playtime Preschool spin-off series where music, imagination, and everyday family moments come together through the character Thandi, a bold and imaginative 5-year-old.
• Kunda Kids App Mobile application featuring interactive stories, quizzes, and language learning designed to promote literacy and nurture curiosity in children.
• A is for Africa - ABC Alphabet Book Award-winning ABC alphabet book celebrating African history, geography, and cultures for children ages 3-8, priced at $10.99.
• Malik's Bridge STEM-themed picture book about friendship and problem-solving across African countries, priced at $17.99 for ages 3-8.
• Maua and the Garden of Plenty Empowering picture book about self-confidence and resilience featuring a young hero with a big idea, for ages 3-8.
• Sarai's Culture Day Picture book celebrating cultural heritage and self-love that teaches children to embrace their unique identity, for ages 3-8.
• Afam and the New Yam Festival Picture book about family traditions and the Igbo New Yam Festival, celebrating Nigerian culture for ages 3-8.
• Jo-Jo and the Rain Jamaican picture book about trusting instincts and appreciating the beauty of nature, for ages 3-8.
• Keke and the Cake Thief Modern African fairy tale about problem-solving and helping others through a mystery adventure, for ages 6-10.
• Shaka Zulu Learns to Dance Picture book from the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection teaching self-confidence and uniqueness through the story of Shaka Zulu, for ages 3-8.
• King Alboury Cooks the Best Jollof Picture book celebrating West African cuisine and sharing, inspired by King Alboury Ndiaye of Senegal, for ages 3-8.
• Queen Kitami Makes Friends Picture book from the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection about friendship and kindness, based on Queen Kitami-kya-Nyawera of Uganda, for ages 3-8.
• Queen Amina and the Zazzau Games Picture book from the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection about bravery and leadership through the story of Queen Amina of Zazzau, for ages 3-8.
• Queen Moremi Makes a Promise Picture book from the Africa's Little Kings & Queens collection about keeping promises and sharing, featuring Queen Moremi, for ages 3-8.
• Music and Audio Stories (Spotify) Sing-along songs and nursery rhymes with an African beat, plus audio stories featuring Kunda and Friends characters distributed through Spotify.
• Kunda and Friends Colouring & Activity Guide Printable 44-page preschool activity guide with colouring pages, guided learning activities, and cultural connection content for ages 2-5, distributed as a digital download.
• Birthday Party Services Birthday planning services for families, including personalized birthday videos, printable activity packs, party inspiration, character merchandise, and mascot appearances.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9/10 children learnt something new and interesting about African culture and history using Kunda Kids resources.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• The African Baby Book ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for World Book Day 2026 initiative to place 5,000 Afro-centric children's books directly into hands of children across East Africa. Joint mission to promote literacy and cultural representation.
• Brussels AirlinesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKunda & Friends content featured in in-flight entertainment on Brussels Airlines flights starting June 1st, 2025. Partnership expands global reach of animated content.
• UK Public LibrariescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll UK public libraries have access to Kunda Kids titles. Families can request books through local library networks across the UK.
• Nigeria Stockists NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of retail partners in Nigeria including Bookworm Café, Ouida Books, Roving Heights, The Little Big Kid Company, Tots Toys, Skit Store, The Children's Art Gallery, and The Master Kid.
• Lighting Bulbs Edutainment (Uganda)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial stockist of Kunda Kids products in Uganda, supporting distribution across East African market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• WildBrain: Canadian children's entertainment company managing portfolio brands (e.g., Strawberry Shortcake, Teletubbies, Degrassi) — comparable as a scaled children's content library operator with global licensing reach, though much broader in scope.
• Sesame Workshop: Long-established children's educational media organization producing Sesame Street and adjacent IP — broad incumbent in educational children's entertainment with global content licensing that overlaps thematically with Kunda Kids' curriculum-aligned positioning.
• HarperCollins Children's Books: Major children's book publishing division within HarperCollins — broad incumbent with diverse children's catalog and global distribution infrastructure that dwarfs Kunda Kids in scale.

Direct peers

• Ubongo: Tanzania-headquartered African children's edutainment company producing locally animated series like Kuku Kids and Ubongo Kids for African preschoolers — closest peer in terms of African cultural focus, animated preschool content, and multi-region African footprint.
• Lee & Low Books: US children's publisher specializing in diverse representation and multicultural titles — closely aligned with Kunda Kids' mission-driven emphasis on cultural representation in children's literature.
• Barefoot Books: Independent publisher of multicultural and diverse children's books with an animated series and educational content — comparable in mission to celebrate global cultures and in operating a parallel book + digital content model.
• Lil' Libros: Bilingual children's picture book publisher dedicated to celebrating Latinx culture with illustrated board books and merchandise — strongly comparable in the cultural-representation children's publishing vertical and product format mix.
• Nosy Crow: Award-winning UK-based independent children's publisher producing picture books and digital apps — directly comparable as a UK-headquartered indie kids' publisher with a book-plus-digital product strategy.
• Timbuktu Labs: Black-owned children's publishing and media brand producing picture books, games, and educational products celebrating Black culture — directly comparable in target demographic, mission, and media-plus-merchandise model.

Emerging players

• Akili and Me: African preschool animated edutainment show featuring characters and cultural content for African children — emerging player with overlapping preschool-animation and African-cultural positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kundakids
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kundaandfriends
• Facebookfacebook.com/kundakids
• Instagraminstagram.com/kundakids/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@kundaandfriends
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kunda-kids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kunda Kids