Harnessing the business of creativity in Nigeria: focus on movie and entertainment industries
The Nigerian Film Industry (Nollywood) is globally recognized as the second largest film producer in the world and one of the priority sectors identified in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government of Nigeria with a planned $1billion in export revenue by 2020. (PwC Nigeria).
According to the ERGP, challenges facing the industry include the low level of technology input, the weak intellectual and property rights regime, lack of access to financing, and high rate of informal employment. Although, in this recent years, the industry has begun experiencing international recognition and exposure in France.
During the Presidential visit of Emmanuel Macron to Nigeria in July 2018, the visit to the Afrika Shrine portrayed the connection with Nigerian culture and an exploration of opportunities for cultural collaboration. In addition, within the course of the year 2018, we have witnessed a number of cultural & creative industry events in Paris, France, including the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange organized by the Nigeria Embassy in France (an exhibition of modern Nigerian culture), the Nollywood Week film Festival (a showcase of the best of Nigerian Cinema) and the Nigerian International Film Summit (a platform bridging the gap in Nigeria film business). In addition, earlier this year during the 2018 Francophone festival celebration in Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer, French Ambassador to Nigeria spoke on the French embassy’s willingness, in collaboration with other embassies to set up film schools in Nigeria.
This Creative Industry panel seeks to present the opportunities for investment in Nigeria’s booming, and its potential impact in strengthening cultural ties between Nigeria and France.
Moderator: Bridget Ugwe, International Journalist for Africanews and Founder of Nigeria’s Insights
Panelists:
- Serge Noukoué, Founder, Nollywood Week Paris
- Ijeoma Onah, Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS)
- Francis Nebot, Founder and CEO, IFIND
- Betty Sulty-Johnson, VP, Content Distribution, Trace
