This landmark investment is part of a strategic commitment to bolstering Africa’s creative economy, with a particular focus on enhancing access to production services and fostering growth within the continent’s vibrant film and entertainment industry.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced its first-ever investment in Filmmakers Mart (FMM), Africa’s pioneering integrated digital production platform, in a significant move poised to revolutionise Nigeria’s burgeoning audiovisual sector.
This landmark investment is part of a strategic commitment to bolstering Africa’s creative economy, with a particular focus on enhancing access to production services and fostering growth within the continent’s vibrant film and entertainment industry.
Eric Kafui Okyerefo, CEO of Filmmakers Mart, emphasised the foundational vision behind FMM and the validation brought by its new partners. “We’re building the operating system for the creative industries in emerging markets; an ecosystem of interconnected tools and services designed to eliminate friction, unlock collaboration, and scale access to opportunities for creatives and entertainment businesses”.
The IFC’s backing of FMM is expected to expand infrastructure and digital access for filmmakers, enabling more efficient project execution from pre-production to distribution. It also aligns with a growing trend of global institutions recognising the untapped potential of Africa’s cultural and creative industries, which continue to show exponential growth in global influence and market value.
As streaming platforms, studios, and funders increasingly focus on African markets, investments like this are anticipated to play a crucial role in reshaping how African stories are made and who gets to make them.