Nigeria, China seal landmark film pact as Nollywood eyes $10bn Asian market

​Nollywood leaders and Chinese film executives have unveiled a strategic alliance to establish a direct commercial theatrical pathway between Nigeria and China, unlocking potential access to the $10 billion Asian entertainment market, according to a report by LEADERSHIP.

​The agreement was announced at the China Cultural Centre during the Chinese Film Exhibition in Nigeria, held alongside the 23rd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF). By creating a direct distribution corridor, the deal allows African cinema to bypass traditional Western intermediaries and reach the world’s second-largest box office directly.

​AIFF Founder Fidelis Duker described the initiative as a vital economic imperative: “Today, we are building a bridge directly from Lagos to Beijing. When you marry Nigerian narrative vitality with Chinese technical infrastructure, capital, and distribution expertise, the opportunities for our film industries are limitless”.

​The venture involves regulatory bodies like the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), alongside major distributors such as China’s Huaxia Film Distribution Co., Ltd. Key aspects of the collaboration include joint film co-productions, technical skills exchanges for Nigerian youth, and the localization of content through language dubbing into native African languages.