By Business Insider Reporter
Young Tanzanians with ambitions in music, entertainment and the wider creative industry converged in Dar es Salaam this weekend as Serengeti Lite Nyota Bigi Season Two opened its search for the country’s next big creative star, with more than TSh27 million in cash prizes on offer.
The second season of Nyota Bigi, run by Serengeti Lite in partnership with KUNTA Africa, is designed to identify and develop emerging talent while giving young creatives opportunities to gain visibility, mentorship and connections within the entertainment industry.
The Dar es Salaam auditions, held on October 3, 2026, at the National Museum in the central business district, attracted young people showcasing abilities ranging from singing, dancing and rapping to acting, comedy, magic, modelling and other creative disciplines.
The competition will then move to Mwanza on October 10 at Rock City Mall, followed by Arusha on October 17 at SG Premium Resort and Dodoma on October 24 at Royal Village Hotel. The winner will receive TSh20 million, while the second- and third-place contestants will take home TSh5 million and TSh2 million, respectively.
But the organisers are positioning the competition as more than a cash-prize contest. Participants will also have access to talent mentorship and training, while winners and selected participants will benefit from a one-year promotional package through EFM/TVE, potentially giving emerging creatives a route to wider audiences and industry exposure.
The initiative forms part of Serengeti Lite’s “Lite Your Imagination” platform, which seeks to encourage young people to turn their creative abilities into opportunities. For KUNTA Africa, the partnership provides a platform to discover talent outside traditional entertainment centres and connect emerging creatives with the wider industry.
This year’s competition will be overseen by judges Abdul Sykes, Yvonne Cherrie, Elias Barnabas Inyasi and Penniel Mungilwa, while Jol Master and Shamour Tz will host the programme.
The expansion to four cities represents a broader reach than the first season, reflecting the organisers’ focus on finding talent across Tanzania rather than limiting the search to Dar es Salaam. With more than TSh27 million at stake and opportunities extending beyond the prize money, Nyota Bigi Season Two is positioning itself as both a talent competition and a potential launchpad for young Tanzanians seeking a foothold in the country’s growing creative economy.
