https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260718/west-africas-cinema-is-finally-telling-its-own-story-and-audiences-are-listening---industry-expert-1087587647.html
West Africa’s Cinema Is Finally Telling Its Own Story and Audiences Are Listening - Industry Expert
West Africa’s Cinema Is Finally Telling Its Own Story and Audiences Are Listening - Industry Expert
Sputnik Africa
West Africa’s film industry is entering a new era as locally produced movies draw record audiences and outperform foreign releases at the regional box office... 18.07.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-07-18T14:00+0200
2026-07-18T14:00+0200
2026-07-18T14:00+0200
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West Africa’s Cinema Is Finally Telling Its Own Story and Audiences Are Listening - Industry Expert
Sputnik Africa
West Africa’s film industry is entering a new era as locally produced movies draw record audiences and outperform foreign releases at the regional box office. Industry leaders say the milestone reflects growing confidence in African storytelling, stronger regional collaboration, and a creative economy on the rise.
Recent figures from the West African box office show cinema revenues reached record figures, with Nollywood productions accounting for nearly half of total ticket sales, outperforming Hollywood releases across the regional market for the first time. The figures highlight the growing influence of locally produced films and the expanding role of the creative economy in West Africa. To better understand what is driving this momentum and what it means for the future of African cinema, Global South Pole spoke with Moses Babatope, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nile Group, Nigeria, and co-founder of Filmhouse Group, one of the companies behind West Africa’s largest cinema chain. Drawing on more than two decades in film distribution, production and exhibition. Babatope said the record box office performance demonstrated that West Africans were increasingly choosing to support their own stories, even amid economic uncertainty and global challenges. He attributed the industry’s growth to improved filmmaking standards, wider access to modern technology, stronger marketing, expanding digital platforms, and audiences’ desire to see authentic African experiences on screen. While he welcomed Nollywood’s success, he stressed that the broader goal should be building a stronger, more integrated West African film industry through greater government support, improved cinema infrastructure, professional training, and closer cooperation between Anglophone and Francophone countries.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole
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west africa, nigeria, economy, cinematography, movies, culture, language, soft power, entertainment, research, podcasts, education, аудио
west africa, nigeria, economy, cinematography, movies, culture, language, soft power, entertainment, research, podcasts, education, аудио
West Africa’s Cinema Is Finally Telling Its Own Story and Audiences Are Listening - Industry Expert
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
West Africa’s film industry is entering a new era as locally produced movies draw record audiences and outperform foreign releases at the regional box office. Industry leaders say the milestone reflects growing confidence in African storytelling, stronger regional collaboration, and a creative economy on the rise.
Recent figures from the West African box office show cinema revenues reached record figures, with Nollywood productions accounting for nearly half of total ticket sales, outperforming Hollywood releases across the regional market for the first time. The figures highlight the growing influence of locally produced films and the expanding role of the creative economy in West Africa.
To better understand what is driving this momentum and what it means for the future of African cinema, Global South Pole spoke with Moses Babatope, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nile Group, Nigeria, and co-founder of Filmhouse Group, one of the companies behind West Africa’s largest cinema chain. Drawing on more than two decades in film distribution, production and exhibition.
Babatope said the record box office performance demonstrated that West Africans were increasingly choosing to support their own stories, even amid economic uncertainty and global challenges. He attributed the industry’s growth to improved filmmaking standards, wider access to modern technology, stronger marketing, expanding digital platforms, and audiences’ desire to see authentic African experiences on screen. While he welcomed Nollywood’s success, he stressed that the broader goal should be building a stronger, more integrated West African film industry through greater government support, improved cinema infrastructure, professional training, and closer cooperation between Anglophone and Francophone countries.
"We are blessed with a continent of over a billion people, that is power. Some people in their perspective will call it overpopulated or, would see perspective of poverty. I see power, the ability for filmmakers to impact; ability for them to inspire, ability to educate and entertain, a mostly youthful populace. I see with technology now ability for us to connect people through our stories. So let's use our biggest strength, our numbers. Let's use that to influence the world," Babatope echoed.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the
Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by
Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole 
