British actor Idris Elba has revealed plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade, a move driven by his desire to support the continent’s burgeoning film industry. In an interview with the BBC, the 52-year-old star of The Wire outlined his vision, which includes the construction of film studios in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, Ghana.
Elba, who was born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a father from Sierra Leone, has strong personal ties to Africa. He aims to leverage his international fame to elevate African cinema, stressing the importance of local narratives being told by Africans. “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider—it’s going to happen,” Elba said, speaking on the sidelines of an industry event in Accra.
He anticipates making the move within the next five to ten years. “I’m here to bolster the film industry, and that’s a 10-year process,” he said. “I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”
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Elba’s relocation plans reflect his broader vision for Africa’s film industry, which he believes is ripe for growth but needs greater support to reach its full potential. While the actor is passionate about enhancing the industry in multiple regions, he has no plans to settle in one specific location. “I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown, I’m going to live in Zanzibar,” he said. “I want to go where the stories are being told, and that’s really important to me.”
A key element of Elba’s mission is to produce films that authentically represent African cultures and experiences. He has long been vocal about the need for Africa to take control of its own narratives, arguing that many portrayals of the continent in global media are skewed toward negative stereotypes.
“If you watch any film about Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma—slavery, colonization, war,” he said. “But when you come to Africa, you realize that’s not the full story. It’s really important that we own those stories—our traditions, cultures, languages, and the differences between them.”
Elba believes Africa’s film industry has the potential to shape global perceptions in the same way that American cinema has shaped how audiences view U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles. He envisions a future where international viewers will have a more nuanced understanding of Africa’s diverse landscapes and communities through film.
This mission aligns with the rise of Africa’s film industry, particularly in Nigeria, where Nollywood produces hundreds of films each year, making it one of the country’s most successful cultural exports. Francophone Africa has also produced a tradition of high-quality cinema, though the industry across the continent faces several challenges.
Elba, who portrayed South African leader Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic Long Walk to Freedom, has previously praised the talent within Africa’s film industry. However, he acknowledges that infrastructure and resources are still lacking.
A 2022 report from UNESCO confirmed many of these shortcomings. The report noted that while Africa’s film industry has seen “significant growth in production,” it remains hampered by issues such as piracy, limited training opportunities, and a lack of formal institutions to support filmmakers.
Elba is optimistic that with the right momentum and support from governments, Africa’s film industry could thrive.
“We have to invest in our storytelling,” he said. “When you see me, you see a little version of yourself, and that encourages us.”
One of his personal goals is to produce a film at his planned studio in Accra, which he sees as a key step toward realizing his vision for the continent’s film sector. For Elba, the journey is about more than just movies—it’s about representation and creating a platform for Africans to share their stories with the world.
