Pan-African Film Fund Mobilizes $1 Billion to Transform Continent's Creative Industries

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its development impact investment arm, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), has officially appointed One Street Studios as the Co-General Partner of the Pan-African Film Fund. The landmark initiative aims to mobilize up to $1 billion to accelerate the growth of Africa's film, television, and broader creative industries.[1]

The appointment marks a major milestone in operationalizing one of the largest dedicated investment platforms ever created for African storytelling. Originally launched in May 2025 under Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program, the fund is designed to channel long-term capital into the continent's rapidly expanding audiovisual sector.[2][3]

Rather than merely financing individual films, the Pan-African Film Fund targets the entire creative value chain. The vehicle will provide a mix of equity, quasi-equity, and structured financing to support content development, production, and post-production infrastructure. It also aims to expand digital streaming platforms and strengthen global distribution networks for African-produced content.[1][4]

"The partnership between FEDA and One Street Studios is most timely and strategic," said Afreximbank President Dr. George Elombi. He noted that the collaboration serves as a crucial bridge connecting the African diaspora with the continent, while empowering the creative economy to take full ownership of its narratives. "It allows us to produce what we consume and consume what we produce," Elombi added.[3]

One Street Studios, a production company that finances and develops creative projects, brings significant industry expertise to the partnership. Lavaille Lavette, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Pan-African Film Fund and Managing Partner at One Street Studios, emphasized that Africa's creative industries are entering a defining moment. Lavette previously co-founded JVL Media alongside Academy Award winner Viola Davis and producer Julius Tennon.[3][4]

"Through the Pan-African Film Fund, we will mobilize long-term capital that supports creators, strengthens production capacity, and builds sustainable global distribution pathways for African storytelling," Lavette stated. FEDA CEO Emmanuel Assiak echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the initiative will provide African storytellers with the financial backing needed to reach international markets while retaining control over their intellectual property.[1][3]

The fund will prioritize export-oriented projects that demonstrate strong global distribution potential. By leveraging partnerships with established international studios, streaming platforms, and distributors, the initiative aims to build a robust pipeline of commercially viable, bankable opportunities. This strategy addresses a longstanding structural constraint in the African entertainment sector: the lack of access to patient, large-scale capital capable of competing with North American, European, and Asian markets.[2]

For investors and policymakers, the significance of the $1 billion target extends far beyond cinema. The initiative reflects a broader economic strategy recognizing the creative economy—alongside agriculture, manufacturing, and technology—as a primary engine for growth. Africa's youthful demographic, expanding digital connectivity, and the rising global appetite for diverse streaming content position the sector as a high-value export industry capable of generating foreign exchange earnings and skilled employment.[2][4]

Ultimately, the Pan-African Film Fund seeks to transform the continent from a mere location for foreign productions into a self-sustaining, globally competitive hub for audiovisual creation. By bridging the gap between creative talent and institutional capital, the fund is betting that African storytelling can become one of the continent's most lucrative and culturally influential exports in the coming decade.[1][2]