Idris Elba’s dream of building the biggest film studio in Africa is set to become a reality, as the 51-year-old English-born filmmaker and Hollywood star has been gifted land in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The allocation of land comes after Elba, who has roots in Sierra Leone and Ghana, expressed his vision to develop and expand the film industry in Africa. This announcement follows a discussion he had with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan nearly a year ago about the ambitious project.
Zanzibar’s investment minister, Shariff Ali Shariff, described the proposed studio as being on par with those in Hollywood, Nollywood, or Bollywood.
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“The studio could lead to the creation of ‘Zollywood,'” Shariff said, adding, “I’m not sure how we will call it in Zanzibar, whether Zollywood or Zawood,” he joked.
The conversation between Elba and President Samia took place at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland in January 2023. A spokesperson for the president noted, “If successful, the project will benefit not only Tanzania but also eastern and central Africa.”
Why Zanzibar is the Right Choice
Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, is already a popular tourist destination known for its striking white beaches. The location is seen as ideal for the project, given its existing appeal and infrastructure.
The Status of Elba’s Ghana Studio Project
In February 2023, Elba discussed plans to build a similar film studio in West Africa, specifically Ghana. “Currently, we call it West African Studios, but that’s a working title,” he said. “We’ve been working on this for three or four years to develop a facility at the heart of African filmmaking.”
Since that statement, there have been few updates on the Ghana film studio project. With the new development in Tanzania, many are curious about the status of the Ghana project.
We will keep our audience updated on these projects spearheaded by Idris Elba, which hold the promise of unveiling Africa’s abundant talent and creating opportunities for success.
