Afreximbank Launches $1 Billion Africa Film Fund to Power a Global Creative Renaissance
In a historic move poised to reshape the global creative landscape, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has unveiled a $1 billion Africa Film Fund aimed at revolutionizing the continent’s film and television industry. Announced on May 7, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda, the initiative is being launched through FEDA—the Bank’s development impact investment arm—as a flagship under its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme.
🎬 Empowering Global Africa Through Storytelling
The Africa Film Fund isn’t just about financing film productions—it represents a bold, strategic push to elevate Africa’s cultural voice on the global stage. With a focus on high-quality content creation and worldwide distribution, this fund is a lifeline for African filmmakers eager to craft stories that resonate globally while staying rooted in local realities.
The fund aims to bridge major industry gaps, including limited access to production equipment, post-production infrastructure, and a chronic shortage of cinemas and digital distribution platforms across the continent. With fewer than 2,000 screens available and most creators battling resource scarcity, this intervention is both timely and transformative.
“Film is a cornerstone of the CANEX programme, and the Africa Film Fund will help accelerate the growth of Africa’s creative sector,” said Professor Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Chairman of FEDA. “It’s about celebrating and amplifying diverse African voices to drive economic growth.”
🌍 Turning Africa’s Creative Industry Into an Economic Powerhouse
According to UNESCO, Africa’s film and audiovisual industry already generates $5 billion annually and employs over 5 million people—yet its potential remains vastly untapped due to systemic underfunding and limited scalability. The Africa Film Fund seeks to change that narrative by providing patient capital, catalyzing international partnerships, and supporting sustainable ecosystems.
Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA, emphasized the bigger picture:
“This is about more than just financing. We’re creating a thriving ecosystem that empowers creatives, fosters cultural exchange, and drives inclusive economic transformation.”
Kanayo Awani, Executive VP of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, reinforced the message:
“This Fund unlocks the potential of Africa’s creative economy, placing culture where it belongs—as a strategic asset for growth, integration, and youth empowerment.”
Afreximbank launches US$ 1 Billion Africa Film Fund
🌟 Global Icons Lend Their Voice
Hollywood stars and African diaspora champions have also embraced the fund’s launch. Viola Davis, EGOT-winning actress and co-founder of JVL Media LLC, praised the move:
“African stories are deeply human and universally powerful. This Fund is an invitation for the world to witness Africa through the lens of its own creators—bold, unfiltered, and rich in truth.”
Boris Kodjoe, award-winning actor and Managing Partner of FC Media Group, added:
“It has long been my dream to tell stories at a global scale. Partnering with Afreximbank and FEDA is a dream come true and a game-changer for African content.”
🎯 A New Era for African Cinema and Cultural Capital
From Lagos to Kigali, Johannesburg to Nairobi, the Africa Film Fund is expected to ignite a creative boom, giving rise to world-class films and TV series that will expand Africa’s cultural influence while generating jobs, increasing exports, and empowering youth.
This is not just an investment in films—it’s an investment in Africa’s future.
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