The African Entertainment Industry
The Prospects and Challenges in the African Entertainment Industry.
The African film industry spurred in growth post the colonial era. Francois Mitterrand and other activists promoted the integration of the political, cultural and economic developments that was taking place in the continent into film production.
Producers and filmmakers were encouraged to make the three elements into film production in Africa.
Most films produced in Africa during the colonial era were racist. Therefore, popular film directors in the 80s utilized film as a political tool for counteracting the stereotypes the white man indicated in films about the continent and its people.
The prominent film directors include Oumarou Ganda and Ousmane Sembene, the brains behind the movies “Moi un noir”, “Mandabi”, “Cabascabo”, “Xala”, etc.
Today, the African film industry is booming countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya and Somalia. The countries are home to several actors who’ve gained fame worldwide.
Good examples include Lupita Nyong’o and a Briton with Nigerian roots, Chiwetel Ejiofor, who featured in the movie “12 Years A Slave”, and Somalia’s Barkhad Abdi who acted in “Captain Phillips.” Others include Sharlto Copley who featured in the movie “Maleficent” and South Africa’s Charlize Theron, an actress in the “Monster” film.
Despite the significant growth in the African entertainment industry, its experiencing various challenges. It lacks financial support and investment in the sector that’s required to support entertainment events such as film festivals.
The events are used as platforms for creating awareness on various issues. They also promote film distribution to enable the film industry in Africa to lure more genuine interest from investors and film directors worldwide.
The entertainment and media industries in different countries in Africa are expected to realise GDP per capita growth at a rate of 5% every year for the next half a decade. Investments in the African film industry have the potential to promote sustainable development in African countries.
For instance, the film industry in Nigeria generates about $590 million USD. The country releases about 50 movies every seven days.
The music industry in Africa has not been left behind. The world made a significant discovery in 2008 during the MTV Africa Music Awards, first held in the continent. The best performance nominees included artists from major cities in Africa such as Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kinshasa and Lagos.
The African continent has many popular musicians known worldwide. They include a Somali Canadian, K’naan, Mali’s Salif Keita, Nigeria’s D’banj, Zimbabwe’s Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Akon from Senegal, and South Africa’s Lucky Dube, Dave Matthews, and Hugh Masekela, as well as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a popular choral group.
However, the African music industry’s value is difficult to tell due to lack of professional tracking businesses and the frequent cases of piracy. Despite this fact, in 2008, album sales in Africa, based on informal sources, hit the $30 million figure.
In comparison to 2005 statistics, the figure more than tripled. The African industry could be much larger if piracy was addressed, and formal systems set up.
Do you think African governments can propel the industry to greater heights? Leave your comment or question below.
By Mercy Adhiambo Oginga
Africa Global News Publication
