Idris Elba Launching New Film Studio in Ghana

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Idris Elba attends the press night after party for “Shifters” at Larry’s at the National Portrait Gallery on August 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Actor Idris Elba is preparing to take his acting skills to Ghana. According to multiple reports, the British actor, whose parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana is looking to build several film studios across Africa.

Elba is starting his mission in Zanzibar after approval from a meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Their discussions led to plans for the first studio in Zanzibar. The British actor spoke on his concerns about the lack of representation of Africa’s creative industry on the global stage.

“Much of the imagery about Africa isn’t even generated from Africa,” Elba told CNN at the Stellar Development Foundation’s Meridian conference in London this week. “A lot of media is centered around (negative depictions of Africa). But the median age in Africa is 19; these young people are optimistic and deserve the chance to tell their own stories.”

In August, the government of Zanzibar promised him nearly 200 acres to begin construction.