Afreximbank targets $1bn for Africa’s film industry in biggest creative sector bet

Afreximbank African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is making its biggest push yet into Africa’s creative economy, targeting the mobilisation of up to $1 billion for the continent’s film and audiovisual industry through the Pan-African Film Fund, in a move aimed at transforming African storytelling into a globally competitive export sector.

 

The bank, through its development impact investment arm, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), announced on Wednesday the appointment of One Street Studios as Co-General Partner of the fund, marking a major milestone in the implementation of one of Africa’s largest dedicated film investment platforms.

 

Launched in May 2025 under Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, the Pan-African Film Fund is designed to channel long-term capital into Africa’s film, television and immersive media industries while positioning the continent as a global hub for audiovisual production and storytelling.

 

The fund will finance projects across the industry’s value chain, including content production, distribution infrastructure and digital streaming platforms, using a mix of equity, quasi-equity and structured financing tailored to the needs of creative businesses.

 

It will prioritise export-oriented projects with strong international distribution prospects and leverage partnerships with film studios, streaming platforms and distributors to build a pipeline of commercially viable productions capable of reaching global audiences.

 

Beyond financing, the fund seeks to address longstanding structural challenges that have constrained the growth of Africa’s creative sector. Investments will span film and television content development and production, expansion of digital streaming and exhibition platforms, strengthening of global distribution networks for African content, and development of production studios and post-production facilities.

 

According to Afreximbank, this integrated investment strategy is expected to create a sustainable film ecosystem capable of driving long-term industry growth while elevating African stories on the global stage.

 

Under the partnership, FEDA and One Street Studios will jointly serve as Co-General Partners of the fund, combining financial expertise with industry experience to build a scalable investment platform aligned with Africa’s fast-growing creative economy.

 

One Street Studios brings an integrated business model that combines financing, content development and production under one platform. The studio invests in African-owned stories from concept to screen while connecting creators on the continent with the African diaspora to broaden the reach of authentic African narratives.

 

As a fully funded studio, the company focuses on supporting bold storytellers and underrepresented voices by providing project financing, publishing and screen adaptation services aimed at delivering African stories to international audiences.

 

Speaking on the partnership, George Elombi, president and chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said the collaboration would strengthen Africa’s ownership of its stories while deepening links between the continent and its diaspora.

 

“The partnership between FEDA and One Street Studios is most timely and strategic as it serves as a crucial bridge uniting the diaspora with geographic Africa but also empowers our creative economy to take full ownership of our narratives, enabling us to produce what we consume and consume what we produce,” Elombi said.

 

Lavaille Lavette, chief executive officer of the Pan-African Film Fund and managing partner at One Street Studios/JVL Media, described the initiative as a defining moment for Africa’s creative industries.

 

“Africa’s creative industries are entering a defining moment. Through the Pan-African Film Fund, we will mobilise long-term capital that supports creators, strengthens production capacity, and builds sustainable global distribution pathways for African storytelling,” she said.

 

Also commenting, Emmanuel Assiak, chief executive officer of FEDA, said the initiative would unlock investment opportunities while expanding the global reach of African creative content.

 

“African storytelling carries extraordinary cultural depth and universal relevance. Through the Pan-African Film Fund, FEDA is enabling creators to produce world-class content while connecting them with global audiences and long-term investment capital,” Assiak said.

 

The announcement reinforces Afreximbank’s broader CANEX strategy of positioning Africa’s creative industries as a key driver of economic diversification, export growth, job creation and cultural influence. By mobilising up to $1 billion in investment, the bank is betting that film, television and digital content can become one of Africa’s next major export industries while attracting global capital into the continent’s rapidly expanding creative economy.