Nigeria’s movie business, Nollywood, stands as a pillar of African storytelling, tradition, and financial potential, able to delivering over 200% returns with the appropriate investments.
Nevertheless, its progress is hindered by piracy, which highlights a deeper problem: the shortage of strong distribution infrastructure vital to completely monetize its demand.
On the latest African Movie Finance Discussion board (AFFF) in Lagos, business specialists highlighted how piracy—usually seen solely as a menace—really factors to a supply-side problem that requires quick consideration.
“Piracy proves there’s demand; the problem lies in provide,” defined Barrister Isioma Idigbe, Accomplice at Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors. “With out sturdy distribution channels, we’re failing to completely monetize the market’s urge for food for Nollywood content material.” he famous.
Moses Babatope, CEO of NILE Group, shared that whereas streaming platforms created pleasure round Nollywood lately, their latest pullback serves as a reminder of the business’s reliance on conventional distribution fashions like cinemas.
“We acquired carried away by the streaming bubble,” he famous. “However the actuality is that cinemas stay the cornerstone of sustainable movie industries globally.”
Babatope highlighted the resilience of the Nigerian field workplace, which has seen vital progress regardless of macroeconomic challenges.
“In 2024, we’re N12 billion to N13 billion in field workplace income, with native movies accounting for over 55% of this.
“That’s a historic milestone, but it surely’s clear we have to deliver cinema nearer to underserved audiences if we’re to maintain this momentum,” he stated.
He additionally careworn the necessity for localized options, corresponding to leveraging current group facilities and youth golf equipment to make cinema extra accessible and inexpensive.
The consensus amongst panellists was that Nollywood’s future is dependent upon a balanced strategy to funding, with equal emphasis on manufacturing and distribution.
Ben Murray-Bruce, Founding father of the Silverbird Group, known as for elevated authorities assist.
“The movie business isn’t nearly leisure—it’s a important worth chain like manufacturing,” he stated.
Murray-Bruce urged monetary establishments to prioritize funding for cinemas, arguing that doing so would create jobs, drive financial progress, and make Nollywood extra resilient.
“If the federal government can fund non-performing refineries, it will probably actually put money into an business with a return on funding potential,” he added.
“The African movie business generates over $20 billion yearly, using 1000’s of individuals,” Ephraim-Egbas famous. “That is the appropriate time to bridge gaps within the worth chain and unlock Nollywood’s full potential.”
“We have now the expertise, the viewers, and the demand,” Idigbe stated. “What we want now’s an ecosystem that helps distribution, making it simpler for Nigerians to entry and revel in native content material whereas making certain traders see significant returns.”
