British actor Idris Elba has unveiled plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade, aiming to play a pivotal role in supporting the continent’s burgeoning film industry.
The 52-year-old star, renowned for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the 2013 biopic “Long Walk to Freedom,” is already invested in projects building film studios in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, Ghana.
Speaking at a film industry meeting in Accra, Elba emphasized the importance of Africans telling their own stories on the global stage. “I won’t just consider settling down here; it’s going to happen,” he said. “I’ll move within the next five to 10 years, God willing.”
Elba, known for roles in “Beasts of No Nation,” “Pacific Rim,” and “Thor,” plans to split his time between Accra, Freetown (Sierra Leone), and Zanzibar, focusing on storytelling hubs.
Born in London to a Ghanaian mother and Sierra Leonean father, Elba is committed to leveraging his influence to elevate the region’s film industry. “I’m here to bolster the film industry – a 10-year process. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”
Elba believes the film industry serves as a “soft power” reshaping global perceptions of Africa. “If you watch films about Africa, you’ll see trauma, slavery, colonization, and war. But that’s not true. We must own our stories of tradition, culture, languages, and differences.”
He dreams of shooting films in his Accra studio, showcasing locally produced stories’ potential. “We must invest in our storytelling. When you see me, you see a version of yourself, encouraging us.”
Elba will portray Okonkwo in the TV series adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel “Things Fall Apart.”
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