Kunle Afolayan Benin MoU signed to co-produce African films, train youth, and build a Film City, boosting cross-border creative collaboration

In a landmark move set to reshape African cinema, Kunle Afolayan’s Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Benin at the KAP Hub in Lagos.

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The historic agreement follows a high-level invitation from the Beninese Presidency and establishes a strategic partnership to transform audio-visual and film production across the region.

The MoU focuses on co-production of films, youth training in creative production, and the development of a world-class Film City in Ouidah, Benin.

Last month, Kunle Afolayan, alongside Executive Director Seun Soyinka, led a delegation to Benin to consult with senior officials and key stakeholders on sustainable frameworks for local content creation, technical capacity building, and positioning Benin as an emerging hub for African cinema.

The Beninese delegation formalising the partnership in Lagos included Sinatou Saka, Special Adviser to the President for Media and Audiovisual Affairs; Coline-Lee Toumson-Venite, Special Adviser for Arts and Culture; Bassirou Ndiaye, CEO of SOPA S.A; Faissol Gnonlonfin, Director of Cinema and Performing Arts at ADAC; and Meto Adoglo, Programme Manager for Storytelling at Sèmè City. The KAP host team included Professor Tunji Azeez, Head of School at the KAP Film & Television Academy.

The initiative will leverage KAP subsidiaries, including KAP Motion Pictures, the KAP Film & Television Academy, and the KAP Film Village & Resort in Igbojaye-Komu, Oyo State, a model for integrated film production, training, and cultural tourism.

During the official programme running from 19 to 22 February, the Beninese delegation toured these facilities.

Speaking on the collaboration, Kunle Afolayan said, “It is a defining moment for African cinema, where visionary leadership, cultural authenticity, and creative enterprise converge to project our stories, our people, and our creative strength to the world in the most compelling way.”

Sinatou Saka expressed optimism about the partnership, noting, “We are finally happy to be working in partnership with Kunle Afolayan, especially in the area of capacity building.”

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Both parties described the MoU as the beginning of a long-term alliance dedicated to raising standards in film production, creative education, and cultural expression across Africa.