#None #Afreximbank #One Street Studios #Pan African Film Fund

One Street Studios and Afreximbank Unite for African Film Fund

In a significant move to empower the African creative sector, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has appointed One Street Studios as Co-General Partner of the Pan African Film Fund. This initiative is designed to mobilize up to US$1 billion to bolster Africa's film and creative industries. Announced on July 9, 2026, this partnership marks a milestone in efforts to promote African storytelling on the global stage.

Launched in May 2025 under the Afreximbank Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), the Pan African Film Fund seeks to channel capital into film, television, and immersive media projects, establishing a competitive hub for audiovisual production and storytelling within the continent.

The Fund's strategy focuses on creating a diverse project portfolio, emphasizing content production along with infrastructure and distribution. By employing a combination of equity, quasi-equity, and structured financing, the Fund aims to support projects with substantial export potential, facilitated through collaborations with studios and streaming platforms.

In addition to funding, this initiative intends to tackle systemic barriers in the industry by investing across the audiovisual value chain. This includes supporting the development and production of film and television content, enhancing the global distribution of African media, expanding digital platforms for streaming, and building production studios and post-production facilities. Such an integrated approach aims to sustain growth and elevate African narratives within the global market.

As Co-General Partners, FEDA and One Street Studios will combine their financial acumen and industry experience to establish a scalable investment platform that aligns with Africa's burgeoning creative economy. One Street Studios' innovative model merges capital with creative vision, financing diverse narratives from inception to screen. This partnership not only strengthens the connection between African creatives and the diaspora but also promotes African ownership of narratives.

Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank’s Board of Directors, lauded the partnership, highlighting its importance in bridging global audiences to African stories. The collaboration empowers creators to assume ownership and produce narratives reflecting their culture and experiences.

Lavaille Lavette, the CEO of the Pan African Film Fund and a Managing Partner at One Street Studios, stressed that Africa’s creative industries stand at a transformative juncture. The Fund will mobilize enduring capital to support creators and reinforce production infrastructure while creating sustainable pathways for distributing African stories.

Emmanuel Assiak, CEO of FEDA, added, “African storytelling possesses immense cultural significance and universal resonance. The Pan African Film Fund enables creators to develop exceptional content linking them with audiences worldwide and fostering long-term investment opportunities.”

This announcement represents a vital step in Afreximbank’s overarching CANEX strategy, reinforcing its commitment to turning Africa’s creative sectors into a globally competitive landscape capable of driving economic growth and cultural influence throughout the continent.

About the Entities Involved

1. Afreximbank: A pan-African multilateral financial institution, Afreximbank has been pivotal in financing and promoting trade across Africa for over 30 years.
2. FEDA: The Fund for Export Development in Africa, a subsidiary of Afreximbank aimed at addressing the funding deficit necessary for initiatives across various sectors within Africa.
3. One Street Studios: A visionary production firm focused on blending capital with creative insight to bring diverse narratives to the forefront of the film industry.

Through the combined force of these entities, the Pan African Film Fund stands poised to reshape the landscape of African creative storytelling and establish a robust film ecosystem capable of thriving on the international stage.