British actor Idris Elba has revealed his intention to relocate to Africa within the next decade, with a focus on supporting the continent’s burgeoning film industry. The 52-year-old actor, best known for his roles in Long Walk to Freedom and Beasts of No Nation, shared his vision during a film industry meeting in Accra, Ghana, as reported by the BBC.
Elba, who was born to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, is already involved in developing film studios in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra. His goal is to elevate Africa’s local filmmaking scene and empower African creators to tell their own stories on the global stage. “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen,” Elba stated, noting that his move will likely happen within the next five to ten years.
He emphasized the importance of being present on the continent to make a lasting impact. “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 added. Elba plans to live in various African cities, including Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar, where storytelling and local culture will guide his work.
Elba also highlighted the power of film to reshape global perceptions of Africa. He expressed his commitment to showcasing the continent’s rich diversity and moving away from narratives focused solely on trauma and conflict. “We have to invest in our storytelling because when you see me, you see a little version of yourself, and that encourages us,” he said, stressing the need for authentic representations of African traditions, languages, and cultures.
The actor is also set to star as Okonkwo in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. He dreams of producing films in his Accra studio one day, showcasing Africa’s potential for locally produced stories to the world.
