Next Narrative Africa's $40M Investment Fund to Transform African Cinema

Next Narrative Africa, a Nigerian media production company, in partnership with Kenya's HEVA Fund, has launched a $40 million fund to support African filmmakers. Known as the Next Narrative Africa Fund, the initiative aims to finance film projects across the continent with budgets between $1 million and $5 million. The fund offers both equity investments and grants, with a plan to fully allocate the $40 million over the next four years. The initial investments are expected to begin in 2025, with a funding cycle set to conclude by the end of the same year.

This initiative arrives as African cinema experiences growing global interest, led by industries in Nigeria and South Africa. Nollywood, in particular, has delivered impressive returns for investors, with some earning triple their investments. Streaming services, including Netflix, have invested heavily in African content since 2016, with $178 million in funding aimed at showcasing the continent’s storytelling talents.

The Next Narrative Africa Fund will prioritize film projects that address themes of gender and racial equity, democracy, governance, climate change, health, and inclusive economic growth, ensuring they are primarily produced in Africa to qualify for support.

Source: Innovation Village