According to the United Nations, Africa’s film industry is growing and has the potential to produce millions of new employments if its full potential is realized.
According to a survey by the United Nations cultural organization UNESCO, Africa’s film industry employs an estimated five million people and contributes $5 billion to the continent’s GDP.
Nigeria has the continent’s largest film industry, producing 2,500 films every year.
UNESCO, despite the numbers, believes the industry has a lot of untapped potentials.
Affordable digital film equipment and new online distribution channels have provided content creators new chances, but Africa has fewer screens per capita than any other region, according to the report.
Another major concern is piracy, which the research estimates “wastes 50 percent to over 75 percent of the film and audiovisual businesses’ earnings.”
According to the survey, just 19 African countries out of 54 provide any financial assistance to filmmakers.
According to UNESCO, if all of these issues are addressed, the sector may provide over 20 million employment and contribute $20 billion to the continent’s total GDP.
The film industry’s success is also hampered by a lack of freedom of speech, according to the research, with professionals in 47 nations noting constraints on the issues they can address in their creative work.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay issued a statement calling for further international cooperation “to enable all nations, particularly developing countries, to create sustainable and competitive cultural and creative industries both nationally and internationally.”
Films are public goods “that require public support and investment”, Azoulay said.
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