By Bukola Afolabi
British actor Idris Elba has announced his plans to move to Africa within the next decade, aiming to play a significant role in the development of the continent’s filmmaking industry. With deep roots in Africa his mother hails from Ghana and his father from Sierra Leone the London-born star shared his intentions during a film industry event in Ghana.
Elba emphasized the importance of being on the ground to actively contribute to Africa’s cinematic growth.
As part of his long-term vision, Elba revealed his exciting plans to establish film studios in Accra, Ghana, and Zanzibar, Tanzania. These projects aim to provide a platform for local storytelling and elevate African cinema on the global stage.
Elba also expressed his dedication to challenging negative perceptions of Africa often depicted in the film industry. “If you watch films about Africa, all you see is trauma—slavery, colonization, war. But when you come to Africa, you realize it’s not true. It’s essential that we own and tell the stories of our traditions, cultures, and languages.”
In addition to his efforts to uplift Africa’s film industry, Elba hinted at his involvement in a TV adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart. He is set to take on the role of Okonkwo, the story’s central character, in the highly anticipated series. Despite concerns from some quarters, Elba remains committed to using his platform to highlight African narratives on a global scale.
Elba concluded by reaffirming his mission to reshape Africa’s narrative through storytelling, signaling a new era for African cinema.
