Afolayan seals cross-border film partnership with Benin Republic
Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s production company has entered into a partnership with the Republic of Benin to advance film production, youth capacity building and creative infrastructure across West Africa.
The collaboration was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday at the KAP Hub in Lagos, headquarters of the KAP Group, following high-level engagements initiated by the Beninese Presidency.
According to a statement, the partnership is designed to strengthen African storytelling and position Benin as an emerging hub for audio-visual production on the continent. It is also expected to enhance cross-border cooperation within the creative industry.
Before the signing, Afolayan and KAP Executive Director, ’Seun Soyinka, led a delegation to Cotonou last month for consultations with senior government officials and stakeholders in Benin’s film and audio-visual sector. Discussions centred on boosting local content creation, enhancing technical capacity and developing sustainable frameworks for cinematography and creative enterprise.
A high-level delegation from Benin later travelled to Lagos to finalise the agreement. Members of the visiting team included senior advisers to the Beninese President on media, audiovisual affairs, arts and culture, as well as representatives of cultural development agencies.
Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on the co-production of films that promote African narratives and expand their global reach. The partnership will also prioritise structured youth training in various aspects of filmmaking and support the development and operation of a film city in Ouidah, Benin.
As part of the scheduled activities, the Beninese delegation will tour KAP’s production facilities in Lagos and the KAP Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye-Komu, Oyo State.
Speaking on the development, Afolayan described the agreement as “a defining moment for African cinema”, while representatives of the Beninese government expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen capacity building and creative enterprise in the region.
