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Idris Elba Reveals Why He’s Planning to Move to Africa

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Idris Elba Reveals Why He’s Planning to Move to Africa

British actor Idris Elba has shared his plans to move to Africa within the next decade to help grow the continent’s film industry. In an interview with the BBC, the 52-year-old star of The Wire explained that he is working on building film studios in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, Ghana.

Elba, who was born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a father from Sierra Leone, feels a strong connection to Africa. He hopes to use his fame to support African filmmakers, saying it’s important for Africans to tell their own stories.

“I will definitely settle down here, it’s going to happen,” Elba said during an event in Accra. “I think I’ll move in the next five or ten years. I’m here to help build the film industry, and I need to be on the continent to do that.”

However, Idris Elba doesn’t plan to stay in just one place. “I’ll live in Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar. I’ll go where the stories are being told.” One of his goals is to make a movie at his studio in Accra.

Elba, who played Nelson Mandela in the 2013 film Long Walk to Freedom, believes it’s crucial for Africans to be involved in all parts of filmmaking—from acting and directing to funding and promoting films.

He hopes people around the world will one day understand Africa’s different cultures, just like they know the differences between cities like New York and Los Angeles.

“Right now, films about Africa often show trauma—slavery, colonization, and war. But when you visit Africa, you see that’s not the whole story. It’s important that we tell our own stories about our culture, traditions, and languages,” Idris Elba said.

Nigeria’s Nollywood, which produces hundreds of films each year, is one of Africa’s biggest successes. But Elba pointed out that the industry lacks proper facilities. A 2022 report from UNESCO also highlighted problems like piracy and limited training opportunities.

Despite these challenges, Elba is hopeful. He believes that with the right support from governments, Africa’s film industry can grow. “We need to invest in our storytelling because when people see me, they see a bit of themselves, and that inspires us.”

As Elba prepares for his move, his aim is to help Africa’s film industry grow and share its stories with the world.

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