British actor Idris Elba has shared his plans to move to Africa, aiming to boost the continent’s film industry and highlight African stories globally.
In an interview with BBC Africa, Idris, whose parents are from Ghana and Sierra Leone, expressed his excitement about his future relocation and his commitment to supporting African cinema. “I’m not just considering it—it’s definitely happening,” he stated.
Idris was in Ghana for the Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, where he emphasized the importance of Africans controlling their own stories. He’s already taking steps in that direction, having established film studios in both Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, Ghana.
Sharing his vision of living across multiple African cities, Idris said, “I plan to settle in Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar. These are places where powerful stories are being told, and that’s where I want to be.”
At 52, Idris has a deep passion for African cinema and is determined to challenge the negative portrayals of Africa often seen in global media. He noted that Africa is frequently misrepresented as a place defined by trauma and conflict. “When you come to Africa, you see that’s not the reality. It’s crucial that we tell our own stories—about our traditions, culture, and the beauty of our languages.”
He also pointed out that while many parts of Africa are rich in talent, they lack the necessary facilities to support the film industry. His goal is to change that by creating a film studio in Accra, giving local filmmakers a platform to share their stories with the world.
Idris has also teamed up with Nigerian filmmaker Mo Abudu to bring more authentic African narratives to the screen. One of their projects includes the short film “Dust to Dreams.” Additionally, Idris is set to portray Okonkwo in the upcoming adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, where he will also serve as executive producer alongside David Oyelowo.
Idris Elba is clearly on a mission to reshape the narrative of Africa and elevate its stories on the global stage.
