Renowned actor Idris Elba has announced his plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade. Known for his roles in Luther, Beasts of No Nation, and the MCU, this decision has left many fans curious about his reasons.
Here’s why Idris Elba is moving to Africa
Elba, born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, has a strong attachment to Africa. In a recent BBC interview at the Africa Cinema Summit in Accra, Ghana, he discussed his future plans. The actor revealed his intent to move to Africa to help develop the continent’s film industry.
In his statement, Elba said, “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider, it’s going to happen. I think [I’ll move] in the next five, 10 years, God willing. I’m here to bolster the film industry – that is a 10-year process – I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent.”
This decision aligns with Elba’s previous plans to build a film studio in Zanzibar, which were discussed with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The discussions led to positive developments, including the allocation of land for the project. Investment minister Shariff Ali Shariff from Zanzibar stated, “Idris Elba will be building a modern studio similar to Hollywood, Nollywood, or Bollywood. I’m not sure how we will call it in Zanzibar, whether Zollywood or Zawood.”
In addition to the Zanzibar project, Elba is also working on building a film studio in Accra. He expressed his commitment to supporting African filmmakers by ensuring that they can tell their own stories. “It’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture, of our languages,” he said.
Elba plans to live in cities like Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar while helping develop Africa’s film industry. He acknowledges the talent in Africa but highlights the lack of infrastructure. With the right investments and government support, Elba believes African stories can reach a global audience and reshape the continent’s narrative. Through his film-making efforts, he aims to change how African stories are portrayed worldwide.
