British actor Idris Elba has announced his intention to relocate to Africa within the next decade to actively contribute to the continent’s film industry. The 52-year-old, who portrayed Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic *Long Walk to Freedom*, is already working on initiatives to establish film studios in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, Ghana, as part of his mission to enhance local filmmaking.
During a film industry meeting in Accra, Elba emphasized the significance of Africans sharing their own narratives on the global stage. “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to the project.
He expressed, “I think [I’ll move] in the next five to ten years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry – that is a 10-year process – and I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”
Elba, recognized for his performances in *Beasts of No Nation*, *Pacific Rim*, and *Thor*, stated that he has no specific location in mind for his move. “I’m going to live in Accra, I’m going to live in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, I’m going to live in Zanzibar. I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories – that’s really important,” he added.
The actor, born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, expressed his dedication to using his influence to uplift the region’s film industry.
“I’m here to bolster the film industry—that is a 10-year process. I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent,” he explained.
Elba believes the film industry can act as a form of “soft power” that reshapes global perceptions of Africa. “If you watch any film or content related to Africa, all you see is trauma—slavery, colonization, and conflict. But when you come to Africa, you realize that’s not the whole story.
“It’s crucial that we tell our own stories about our traditions, cultures, languages, and the nuances between them. The world doesn’t know that,” he emphasized.
He envisions shooting films in his Accra studio, highlighting the potential of locally produced stories. “We have to invest in our storytelling because when you see me, you see a little version of yourself, and that encourages us,” he remarked.
Recently, it was announced that the English actor will portray Okonkwo, the protagonist of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel *Things Fall Apart*, in a new TV series adaptation.
