PARIS — Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Group and Logical African Partners, the African investment arm of French film financier Logical Pictures, have launched a $50 million fund to finance African cinema.
The Afro Film Fund aims to back about 35 African films over the next eight years, an estimated four to nine projects a year, Variety reported. The agreement was signed in Paris on Tuesday, 10 November, in the presence of French culture minister Catherine Pégard. First disbursements are expected in late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2027.
What the fund will finance
The fund will support development and production of films its backers describe as “commercially viable, culturally relevant and internationally competitive.” Its strategy targets audiences across Africa and the global African diaspora, with selected productions positioned for wider international distribution.
Abudu said the fund “will address the critical need for structured financing for African filmmakers.” Pape Boye, vice-president of Logical African Partners, called it “a new chapter” and said the aim was “a sustainable financing platform that empowers African filmmakers,” according to FilmBunch.
What has not been disclosed
The partners have not said how the $50 million is split between them, whether outside investors are involved, what form the money takes or what share of a film’s budget the fund will cover. Divided evenly, $50 million across 35 films would be roughly $1.4 million per title before fees, FilmBunch calculated, though no ticket size has been published. What Kept Me Up also noted that capital commitments and fundraising status remain unclear.
The fund has been in the works for some time. Abudu told CNN in May 2025 that it would open by the end of that year, so the 2027 start date marks a delay of more than a year.
Context: a busy season for Nollywood
The launch lands as Nigeria’s film industry wraps up the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) 2026 in Lagos, and as local box-office titles such as Loving Itohan lead weekend takings, What Kept Me Up reported. A separate agreement with France’s CNC supports Audiovisual Next Gen, a mentorship programme for young leaders in the creative industries, Culture Custodian reported.
What it means for African readers
Financing has long been the weak link in African filmmaking. Many producers rely on personal savings, brand sponsorship or streaming licence fees that have tightened as global platforms cut spending. A dedicated fund with a multi-year horizon could help filmmakers plan slates rather than single projects, and could give investors a structured way into the creative economy.
The proof will be the first slate. Filmmakers should watch for application guidelines and eligibility rules in early 2027, and for which countries beyond Nigeria receive early backing. A fund that spreads its money across West, East, Southern and North Africa would do more for the continent’s industry than one concentrated in Lagos.
What to watch
- Publication of the fund’s investment criteria, ticket sizes and application process.
- Whether additional investors, such as development finance institutions or African banks, join the fund.
- The first films selected, expected from the second quarter of 2027.
