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British actor Idris Elba has announced his intention to move to Africa within the next decade as part of his commitment to bolstering the continent’s film industry. Born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, Elba shared his vision during a film industry event in Accra, Ghana.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Elba expressed his desire to play a significant role in uplifting African storytelling on the global stage. He revealed that he is currently working on building film studios in both Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, Ghana, with the aim of developing local filmmaking infrastructure.
“I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” Elba stated, adding, “I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. 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.”
Elba also emphasized the importance of Africans being in control of their own narratives. He noted that the global portrayal of Africa is often limited to themes of trauma, war, and colonization, which fails to capture the continent’s rich diversity and cultural traditions. “When you come to Africa, you will realize that it’s not true,” Elba said. “So, it’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture, of our languages, of the differences between one language and another. The world doesn’t know that.”
The acclaimed actor, known for his roles in Beasts of No Nation, Thor, and Pacific Rim, as well as his directorial debut Yardie, expressed his commitment to elevating Africa’s film industry. He believes that film can serve as a form of “soft power” that can reshape global perceptions of the continent.
Elba also revealed his nomadic lifestyle plans across Africa, stating, “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.”
Recently, it was announced that Elba will portray the iconic character Okonkwo in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart. He views this project as a significant step toward showcasing African stories to a broader audience.
Reflecting on his long-term goals, Elba dreams of one day shooting films in his Accra studio and showcasing the potential of locally produced African 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.
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