Afreximbank approves deal with Silverbird Entertainment to build West Africa’s largest film and TV studio in Nigeria

Afreximbank, the African export-import bank, recently struck an agreement with Silverbird Entertainment at the Africa Investment Forum, Build the largest recording studio in West Africa. At the end of 2021, the bank’s total assets and guarantees will be about $25 billion, and its shareholders’ funds will be $4 billion.

Named the Ben Murray-Bruce Studios and Film Academy (BMB Studios and Film Academy), the complex will house an integrated studio and a educational institution – For domestic and international students – to develop the skills of individuals seeking to enter the industry. Areas such as cinematography, directing, filmmaking, games, music, post-production techniques, production, screenwriting, visual effects and animation will all be taught.

The 32,725-square-meter facility in Eko Atlantic City will house numerous elements along with the School of Education, including two large soundstages, a digital center with music and broadcast studios, editing suites with numerous suites, production offices, screening rooms and a Fairly large studio outdoor set.

The project plans to give a major boost to the current film and television industry in Nigeria and the region as a whole, with the ultimate aim of attracting high-volume productions to Nigeria, Upskilling local talentand attract international talent.

Ms Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, commented: “The agreement we have signed today is crucial not only because it provides important support to Africa’s thriving film industry, but especially because of the studio’s multipurpose potential to serve across a range of creative industries, from music and film to gaming and virtual reality.At Afreximbank, we recognize the role African youth and creative talent play in boosting African trade, creating millions of jobs and promoting Emergence of national and regional value chains. The industry is bankable and our aim is to support its growth, expansion and sustainability. Afreximbank is proud to support this project. “

Another area of ​​growth surrounding the project is the country’s growing architectural empire. Henry Goudreau, a seasoned contractor who teaches contractors and construction professionals around the world through his Gold Hard Hat Mentoring Program, said this is another often overlooked factor in regional development.

“Too often we focus so much on what’s being built that we forget who’s building it,” he said. “The growth in construction infrastructure and planning in West Africa over the past few years has been impressive. We have trained people everywhere to be contracting professionals and capitalize on the growing demand of the construction industry across the globe.”

Goudreau founded HG Associates, seeing opportunities in the industry, especially in developing countries. “Construction is not standing still, whether in North America or abroad. In fact, it is growing at an unprecedented rate. The current environment presents many opportunities to teach best practice.”

Silverbird Group founder Ben Murray-Bruce believes that this development will accelerate the rapid growth of Africa’s creative industries.

“From Netflix
NFL
To New York’s Madison Square Garden, audiences revel in the magic of African stories. Now more than ever, the continent needs world-class technical skills and facilities to drive our creative industries to the next level. BMB Studios and Film Academy is a response to this need, which I believe will be a catalyst for agility, expertise and innovation in the African film and television industry. “

He added that the business models used for revenue growth within studios will be different to take into account the diversity of creative industries within studios.

“The Studio will be an environment where content can be produced, managed and distributed digitally. The technical infrastructure will be the most advanced in West Africa, designed to handle the high bandwidth demands of media businesses; future-proofed to manage the expansion of new media content.”

“We are creating a truly global platform for excellence in filmmaking, storytelling and professional development. By 2030, I want BMB Studios and Film Academy to be the pinnacle of studios and educational institutions.”