KAP Group, Republic of Benin Seal Landmark Pact to Boost African Film Industry

Kunle Afolayan-led Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Benin in a strategic move aimed at transforming the audio-visual and film production landscape across West Africa.

The agreement, formalised at the KAP Hub in Lagos, is designed to promote African cinema, empower young creatives, and develop globally competitive creative infrastructure on the continent.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Afolayan described the collaboration as a defining moment for African storytelling and creative enterprise, noting that the partnership will project authentic African narratives to the global stage.

The initiative will focus on three key areas: co-production of films that reflect African stories and culture, structured youth training in filmmaking and creative production, and the development of a world-class Film City in Ouidah, Benin Republic.

A high-level delegation from the Republic of Benin, led by Special Adviser to the President, Sinatou Saka, formalised the partnership during the visit. Other members of the delegation included Coline-Lee Toumson-Venite, Special Adviser to the President for Arts and Culture; Bassirou Ndiaye, CEO of SOPA S.A; Faissol Gnonlonfin, Director of Cinema and Performing Arts at the Agency for the Development of Arts and Culture (ADAC); and Meto Adoglo, Programme Manager for Storytelling at Sèmè City.

The delegation was received by KAP Group’s leadership team, including Executive Director Seun Soyinka and Professor Tunji Azeez, Head of School at the KAP Film & Television Academy.

Sinatou Saka expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasising its potential for capacity building and creative exchange between both countries. She noted that the partnership would strengthen training opportunities for young filmmakers and enhance cross-border collaboration in the creative sector.

As part of the official programme, the Beninese delegation is scheduled to tour the KAP Group’s production facilities in Lagos as well as the KAP Film Village & Resort in Igbojaye-Komu, Oyo State, between February 19 and 22.

Industry observers say the partnership represents a significant step toward deeper Pan-African creative collaboration, fostering a unified continental voice and positioning African stories more competitively on the global film stage.