Stakeholders Push to Unlock Africa’s $20 Billion Film Industry at AFFF
With a combined population of roughly 1.4 billion, Africa is poised to transform its film sector into a $20 billion Pan‐African film economy, according to leaders convening at the Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF).
Taking place from September 16–18, 2025, in Lagos, the forum is bringing together filmmakers, investors, policymakers, distributors, tech innovators and financiers to forge strategies that link creative talent with financial systems, policy framework, and technological innovation.
Mary Ephraim-Egbas, Convener of AFFF, emphasized that though Africa has a rich heritage of storytelling, much of its potential remains under-exploited. Under the theme “Pan-African Film Economy: Building a $20 Billion Industry for 1.4 Billion People,” the forum aims to establish actionable plans that will generate economic impact across the continent.
Key initiatives at AFFF include:
Training & Mentorship for about 1,000 emerging Nigerian and other African creatives, supported by the NNPC Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Programme.
A “deal table” and investor’s room to facilitate investment transactions.
Certified finance training specifically tailored for banks and investors.
Policy roundtables to align government development strategies and GDP growth with film industry needs.
A Cinetour Session to promote African film locations as hubs for tourism and investment.
A FilmTech Track showing off technological solutions for production, distribution, and greater transparency.
Bolaji Abimbola, Co-Chair of the AFFF strategic communications committee, said film should be seen not simply as art but as a form of economic infrastructure. He noted that the forum’s success could help Africa create jobs, increase export earnings, and build its international content influence.
Clarina De Freitas, also Co-Chair, added that now is the pivotal moment for African storytelling to capture global markets, with the right financing and platforms, it could bring both prosperity and ownership back to Africans.