Idris Elba has announced ambitious plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade, marking a significant shift in his career focus toward developing the continent’s burgeoning film industry, per bbc.com.
The acclaimed actor, known for his roles in *The Wire* and portrayal of Nelson Mandela, revealed his intentions during a recent BBC interview in Accra, Ghana.
Elba, whose heritage spans Ghana and Sierra Leone, is spearheading transformative projects including the construction of film studios in Zanzibar and Accra.
“I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent,” the 52-year-old actor emphasised, demonstrating his commitment to hands-on involvement in Africa’s entertainment evolution.
In a bold embrace of Pan-African principles, Elba plans to divide his time between various cultural hubs, including Accra, Freetown and Zanzibar, focusing on regions actively engaged in storytelling. His vision extends beyond mere infrastructure development, addressing a crucial need for authentic African narrative control in global cinema.
The actor highlights a pressing concern about Africa’s current media representation, noting that international portrayals often fixate on historical trauma and conflict. “When you come to Africa, you will realise that it’s not true,” Elba states, advocating for more diverse storytelling that captures the continent’s rich cultural tapestry.
This move aligns with UNESCO’s 2022 findings, which identified significant growth potential in African film production despite challenges like piracy and limited training opportunities. Elba’s initiative promises to address these gaps while fostering a new era of African cinema, emphasising the importance of local ownership in storytelling from production to distribution.
