The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has officially launched a one-billion-dollar Pan-African Film Fund, which is part of its Creative Africa Nexus Programme (CANEX). Veteran author, editor, and educator Lavaille Lavette will lead the fund as its Chief Executive Officer.
The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), created by the bank’s development impact investment division, aims to tackle several key challenges. These include limited access to production facilities and equipment, a shortage of advanced post-production resources, and insufficient exhibition infrastructure. Currently, there are fewer than 2,000 cinema screens available, and access to digital platforms is also limited.
Professor Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank Said:
Film is a cornerstone of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, and the establishment of the Africa Film Fund is timely as it will help accelerate the growth of Africa’s creative sector, which has witnessed rapid growth but continues to face significant challenges including funding, scaling and accessing global markets.
Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA, also emphasized the Fund’s role in driving inclusive growth, stating that:
The Africa Film Fund is not merely about financing films – it is about building a thriving ecosystem that empowers Global Africa’s creative talent, fosters cultural exchange, and catalyses economic transformation.
Also, Co-founder of JVL Media LLC Viola Davis and an EGOT winning actress welcomed the initiative saying:
African stories are deeply human and universally powerful. This Fund is an invitation to the world to see Africa through the lens of its own creators — bold, unfiltered, and rich in truth. I am proud to be a part of this momentous step toward a more inclusive global film industry.
Afreximbank’s launch of the $1 billion Pan-African Film Fund marks a turning point for the continent’s creative economy. By investing in African stories, talent, and infrastructure, the initiative not only amplifies Africa’s cultural voice on the global stage but also unlocks new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
