Afreximbank is making its boldest move yet into Africa's creative sectors, with plans to mobilise up to $1 billion for the continent's film and audiovisual industry. The initiative, known as the Pan-African Film Fund, aims to transform African storytelling into a globally competitive export business.
The bank announced the appointment of One Street Studios as Co-General Partner on Wednesday through its development impact investment arm, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA). This marks a significant step forward for one of Africa's largest dedicated film investment platforms.
Launched in May 2025 under Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, the Pan-African Film Fund channels long-term capital into Africa's film, television and immersive media sectors. The fund positions the continent as a global hub for audiovisual production and storytelling.
The fund will back projects across the industry's value chain—from content production to distribution infrastructure and digital streaming platforms. It will deploy a mix of equity, quasi-equity and structured financing tailored to creative businesses' needs.
Export-focused projects with strong international distribution potential will receive priority backing. The fund will leverage partnerships with film studios, streaming platforms and distributors to build a pipeline of commercially viable productions capable of reaching worldwide audiences.
Beyond financing alone, the fund tackles longstanding structural challenges that have hindered Africa's creative sector growth. Investments will cover film and television content development, expansion of digital streaming and exhibition platforms, and strengthening of global distribution networks for African content.
The strategy will also support the development of production studios and post-production facilities across the continent. According to Afreximbank, this integrated approach is expected to create a sustainable film ecosystem driving long-term industry growth while elevating African stories globally.
One Street Studios brings an integrated business model combining financing, content development and production. The studio invests in African-owned stories from concept to screen while connecting creators on the continent with the African diaspora to broaden reach.
As a fully funded studio, the company focuses on supporting bold storytellers and underrepresented voices through project financing, publishing and screen adaptation services. Its goal is delivering African stories to international audiences.
George Elombi, president and chairman of Afreximbank's board, said the collaboration would strengthen Africa's ownership of its stories. He noted the partnership would deepen links between the continent and its diaspora while empowering the creative economy to take full ownership of its narratives.
