Idris Elba has plans to move to Africa to support the film industry.
“I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” the actor told BBC about his intentions to honor his African roots.
He went on to explain, “I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry – that is a 10-year process – I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”
Elba was born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father. So, the actor wants to honor his African heritage by building a film studio on Zanzibar, a Tanzanian island, and another in Accra, Ghana’s capital.
In a previous CNN interview, Elba said he wants to help Africans tell their own stories globally. He said, “A lot of media is centred around (negative depictions of Africa). But the median age in Africa is 19; these young people are optimistic and deserve the chance to tell their own stories.”
In August, the BBC reported that Elba’s project was approved, with Zanzibar’s investment minister comparing its potential to ‘Hollywood, Nollywood, or Bollywood.’
Elba also reportedly mentioned plans last year to build a studio in Ghana. He said, “Currently, we call it West African Studios, but that’s a working title. We’ve been working on this for three or four years to raise a plan that puts a facility at the center of African filmmaking.”
Africa’s film industry is growing fast, boosted by streaming hits like Netflix’s Nigerian thriller ‘The Black Book.’ Thanks to the digital revolution, filmmakers can now share their work directly and access affordable filming gear.
This shift has led to more interest in filmmaking across Africa, allowing many to earn money online, according to a 2021 UNESCO report. Audience interest is also rising. A 2023 report from Digital TV Research predicts Africa will have 18 million streaming subscriptions by 2029.
