British actor Idris Elba has revealed plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade to support the continent’s burgeoning film industry. In an interview with the BBC, the 52-year-old actor, known for his roles in The Wire and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, expressed his desire to contribute to African cinema by helping Africans tell their own stories.
Elba, whose parents hail from Ghana and Sierra Leone, is already involved in two significant film studio projects—one in Accra, Ghana, and the other in Zanzibar. He believes that living on the continent will allow him to better engage with its film industry. “I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I need to be in-country, on the continent,” he said.
Elba envisions living in cities like Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar, with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding of Africa’s cultural diversity through film. He emphasized the need for Africans to take charge of the entire filmmaking process, from production to distribution, to ensure that their stories are authentically represented.
While recognizing the immense talent within Africa’s film industry, Elba highlighted challenges such as the lack of necessary facilities. He called on governments to create a supportive environment for the industry, describing it as a powerful tool for shaping global perceptions of Africa.