A $4.5bn joint venture between Nigeria’s Del-York Group and Singapore’s TSC Global has set the stage for a seismic shift in Africa’s creative industry. The partnership aims to establish Lagos Film City, Kebulania, a groundbreaking hub designed to position Africa as a global leader in film, music, and digital innovation.
Projected to drive $3.5bn annually into Nigeria’s economy, the initiative is expected to elevate Africa’s creative economy, which is on track to reach $100bn by 2030. The state-of-the-art project, located in Epe, Lagos, is poised to generate over 35,000 jobs, train 50,000 creatives, and catalyse a cultural and economic revolution across the continent.
Transforming challenges into opportunities
Africa’s creative industry has long faced hurdles such as fragmented infrastructure and limited access to world-class facilities. These challenges have constrained the sector’s potential, leaving much of its creative talent operating in isolation.
Michael Dickerson, CEO of TSC Global, underscores the transformative nature of this project: ‘Kebulania is designed to be the epicentre of Africa’s creative economy, bridging gaps in infrastructure and unleashing the continent’s untapped potential.’
Kebulania’s ambitious infrastructure promises to overcome these barriers by integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable and culturally resonant innovation.
Kebulania: a visionary creative ecosystem
Kebulania aims to redefine the concept of a film city. Spanning over 500,000 square meters, the hub will feature advanced virtual production stages, a creative industrial complex, and training facilities rivalling Hollywood. Central to its design is a 50,000-square-metre hyperscale data centre, which will leverage AI-driven technology to revolutionise film production workflows.
AI will optimise logistics, resource allocation, and multi-departmental coordination, reducing production costs and allowing creators to focus on storytelling. Moreover, the facility includes a 1GW gas-fired power plant, ensuring sustainable energy for its operations while setting a global benchmark for eco-friendly filmmaking.
A catalyst for growth
The joint venture also prioritises education and talent development. Del-York Group CEO Linus Idahosa envisions Kebulania as a catalyst for Africa’s industrial and creative transformation: ‘Kebulania is more than a film city; it’s an economic blueprint for Africa’s creative and industrial revolution.’
The project will offer skills training to thousands, creating a pipeline of highly skilled professionals ready to take on global opportunities. Its impact will extend beyond Nigeria, boosting Africa’s appeal as a hub for international productions and fostering a cultural renaissance across the continent.
Growing global momentum
This initiative comes amidst growing global investment in Africa’s creative sector. The $4.5bn deal follows other major moves, such as Afreximbank’s $2bn Creative Africa Nexus investment and Universal Music Group’s stake in Nigeria’s Mavin Records.
Yet, Kebulania stands apart as the largest single investment in the continent’s creative economy, with the potential to elevate African storytelling to unprecedented heights.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State emphasises the project’s cultural significance: ‘Kebulania offers African creatives a platform to tell their stories to the world, redefining global perceptions of Africa.’
Reimagining Africa’s creative potential
As the demand for immersive, visually compelling content grows, Kebulania’s innovative infrastructure ensures Africa’s creative industry can meet these needs. By merging sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and cultural depth, the project seeks to reimagine the continent’s role in the global creative landscape.
While challenges such as regulatory hurdles and infrastructure gaps remain, the bold vision behind Lagos Film City represents a turning point. If successful, Kebulania could transform Africa into a global filmmaking powerhouse, reshaping how the world perceives African creativity and innovation.
In the words of Idahosa, this isn’t just a film city; it’s a movement—one that could propel Africa’s creative economy into a new era of prosperity and global recognition.
