Afreximbank, FEDA launch drive to mobilise $1 bn for Africa's film industry

Arts & Entertainment, Business, Entrepreneurship & SMEs

BUSINESS (NPA) — The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its development impact investment arm, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), has appointed One Street Studios as Co-General Partner of the Pan-African Film Fund, a major initiative targeting up to US$1 billion in investment for Africa’s film and creative industries.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, marks a significant step in Afreximbank’s efforts to strengthen Africa’s creative economy and position the continent as a global hub for film, television and immersive media production.

Launched in May 2025 under the bank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, the Pan-African Film Fund is designed to mobilise long-term capital to finance the growth of Africa’s audiovisual sector.

According to Afreximbank, the fund will invest across the industry’s value chain, supporting film and television production, digital streaming platforms, cinema exhibition, production studios, post-production infrastructure and global distribution networks.

The initiative will provide equity, quasi-equity and structured financing for export-oriented creative projects with strong international market potential, while partnering with global studios, streaming services and distributors to expand the reach of African content.

Afreximbank said the appointment of One Street Studios combines financial expertise with industry experience to create a scalable investment platform capable of accelerating the growth of Africa’s creative industries.

One Street Studios will work alongside FEDA as Co-General Partner, bringing an integrated model that finances, develops and produces African-owned stories while connecting creators on the continent with the African diaspora and international audiences.

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr George Elombi, described the partnership as a strategic milestone for the continent’s creative sector.

“The partnership between FEDA and One Street Studios is both timely and strategic. It strengthens the bridge between Africa and its diaspora while empowering our creative economy to take ownership of our narratives, enabling us to produce what we consume and consume what we produce,” Elombi said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Pan-African Film Fund and Managing Partner at One Street Studios, Lavaille Lavette, said the initiative would unlock long-term financing needed to transform the continent’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.

FEDA Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Assiak said the fund would enable African creators to produce globally competitive content while connecting them with international audiences and investment capital.

Afreximbank said the initiative forms part of its broader CANEX strategy aimed at transforming Africa’s creative industries into a major driver of economic growth, job creation and cultural influence across the continent.