British actor Idris Elba, who has Ghanaian roots, has shared his intentions to move to Africa within the next decade to contribute to the continent’s film industry. The 52-year-old, known for his roles in The Wire and Luther, is leading efforts to establish film studios in Zanzibar and Accra, Ghana.
Born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, Elba maintains strong connections to Africa and hopes to leverage his influence to elevate the region’s film industry.
During an industry meeting in Accra, Elba emphasised his desire to immerse himself in the continent’s storytelling culture, saying, “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen.”
Idris Elba revealed that over the next five to ten years, he plans to live in several African cities, including Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar, to support the telling of authentic African stories.
Elba, known for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom (2013), believes Africans should lead the filmmaking process—from production to distribution.
He envisions a future where global audiences gain a deeper understanding of Africa, moving beyond its history of slavery and colonisation to embrace its rich culture, traditions, and languages.
While Nigeria’s Nollywood is flourishing, Elba acknowledged the need for better infrastructure across Africa’s film industry. A 2022 Unesco report pointed to gaps in training, institutions, and resources, which Elba hopes to address through his planned studios and initiatives.
His ultimate ambition is to create a platform for Africans to own their stories and inspire global recognition of the continent’s diverse, rich narratives.
“We have to invest in our storytelling because when you see me, you see a little version of yourself, and that encourages us,” he said, emphasising the importance of representation in African cinema.