Funke Akindele eyes global dominance for Nollywood as Nigerian filmmaker takes African stories beyond borders

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
November 4, 2026

Nigerian actress, filmmaker and producer Funke Akindele is stepping up efforts to take Nollywood to a wider international audience, using her growing box-office influence, ambitious film productions and international partnerships to bring Nigerian stories beyond the continent.

In an interview with CNN’s international correspondent Larry Madowo, published on October 30, Akindele discussed her remarkable journey in the Nigerian entertainment industry, the commercial success of her productions and the challenges facing African filmmakers seeking recognition in international markets.

The filmmaker, who has become one of Nollywood’s most commercially successful personalities, said she wants her work to reach audiences beyond Nigeria and Africa, particularly through films that reflect African experiences while appealing to viewers across different cultures.

Her ambitions are being demonstrated through projects including Behind the Scenes and her forthcoming production, The Four: No One Fights Alone.

The CNN feature comes at a time when Nigerian cinema is attracting increasing international attention, with filmmakers exploring theatrical distribution, global partnerships and digital platforms to expand the reach of their productions.

From Nigerian box-office success to international ambitions

Akindele’s rise in Nollywood has been built on her ability to connect with audiences through relatable characters, comedy, family drama and stories reflecting everyday Nigerian experiences.

She initially became widely recognised through the character Jenifa, which she introduced in the 2008 film of the same name.

The character, portrayed as an ambitious young woman navigating life in the city, became one of the most recognisable personalities in Nigerian entertainment.

The success of the original film eventually led to further productions and the popular television series Jenifa’s Diary, strengthening Akindele’s position as an actress, writer and producer.

Over the years, she has expanded her work behind the camera, taking greater control of production and directing while developing films that attract large audiences to cinemas.

Her productions, including Battle on Buka Street, A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa, have recorded major commercial successes.

The achievements have helped establish her as one of the leading figures in Nigeria’s cinema industry, with a growing influence over how Nigerian films are produced, marketed and distributed.

However, Akindele’s ambitions now extend beyond maintaining her success in the Nigerian market.

She wants Nollywood productions to compete for attention in international cinemas and introduce more audiences to African storytelling.

‘Behind the Scenes’ and the challenge of taking Nollywood global

One of the projects associated with Akindele’s international ambitions is Behind the Scenes, which has attracted attention as part of her efforts to expand the audience for Nigerian cinema.

The filmmaker has also spoken about the difficulties of transferring domestic box-office success into international recognition.

A movie that performs exceptionally well in Nigeria does not automatically enjoy the same commercial reception in Europe, North America or other international markets.

Filmmakers must contend with distribution arrangements, marketing costs, audience preferences, cinema access and competition from established international productions.

For Nollywood, the challenge is not simply producing successful films but creating sustainable systems that allow African productions to reach international audiences without losing their cultural identity.

Akindele’s strategy involves using her established audience, commercial partnerships and theatrical releases to create greater international visibility for her productions.

Her forthcoming film, The Four: No One Fights Alone, is expected to be another important part of that strategy.

New film targets audiences in London and Nigeria

Akindele is preparing to introduce The Four: No One Fights Alone to audiences outside Nigeria through an international premiere in London.

The film is scheduled to receive its United Kingdom premiere at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square on November 29, 2026, in an event organised by Funke Akindele Network in partnership with FilmOne Entertainment.

It is also scheduled to open in Nigerian cinemas on December 11, 2026.

The production features an ensemble cast that includes Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi Oke and Wunmi Toriola.

The story explores friendship, motherhood, resilience and the relationships between women.

The London premiere is particularly significant because it provides an opportunity to introduce the production to international audiences, including members of the Nigerian and wider African diaspora.

It also reflects a growing interest among Nigerian filmmakers in using international theatrical events to build awareness and attract audiences beyond their home market.

Facebook partnership to promote Nigerian storytelling

Akindele’s international ambitions have also received support through a partnership with Facebook, owned by Meta.

The collaboration, announced in October, is designed to promote Nigerian storytelling and create opportunities for content creators to connect with audiences during the London and Lagos premieres of The Four: No One Fights Alone.

Meta’s Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, Oluwasola Obagbemi, said the partnership would demonstrate how Facebook can help creators build communities, reach international audiences and generate income from original content.

The initiative will also feature Nigerian content creators based both in Nigeria and abroad, giving them opportunities to share behind-the-scenes material and experiences surrounding the film’s premieres.

Akindele welcomed the partnership, describing it as an opportunity to introduce African cinema to a wider international audience.

The collaboration illustrates how filmmakers are increasingly combining traditional cinema distribution with social media platforms to promote productions and engage audiences.

For Nollywood, such partnerships could provide additional opportunities for filmmakers and independent creators to build international visibility without depending exclusively on conventional film distribution channels.

Ghana connection: Akindele’s films have crossed borders before

Akindele’s international ambitions also have a connection to Ghana.

Her 2024 production, Everybody Loves Jenifa, included filming in Ghana, with scenes shot at Safari Valley Resort.

In an interview with CNN, she explained that transporting the cast and crew across borders and organising production in Ghana contributed significantly to the film’s overall production expenses.

She said the production involved flying the entire cast and crew to Ghana, highlighting the scale of the logistical arrangements involved in making the film.

The production’s Ghanaian connection demonstrates the opportunities for cooperation between the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industries.

It also highlights the potential for Ghana to benefit from international film productions through location services, hospitality, tourism, employment and other creative-industry opportunities.

For Ghanaian filmmakers, the growing international ambitions of established Nollywood personalities could provide opportunities for partnerships, joint productions and greater visibility for African cinema.

Ghana and Nigeria already share strong cultural connections, particularly through entertainment, music and film.

A more coordinated approach to African filmmaking could help productions from both countries reach audiences beyond their domestic markets.

The wider challenge facing Nollywood

Nollywood has become one of Africa’s most influential creative industries, producing films that attract millions of viewers within Nigeria and across the diaspora.

However, expanding internationally requires more than popular actors and commercially successful productions.

Filmmakers must navigate the cost of production, distribution arrangements, piracy, access to international cinemas and the difficulty of competing with established global entertainment industries.

Streaming services have also changed the business environment, creating new opportunities while introducing challenges relating to licensing, production financing and control over content.

Akindele’s approach places significant emphasis on theatrical releases, audience engagement and partnerships that can help her productions reach international markets.

Her success demonstrates the commercial potential of Nigerian storytelling, although the long-term challenge will be building a sustainable international distribution system that benefits the wider industry rather than only a handful of established filmmakers.

A new chapter for African storytelling

Akindele’s ambition to expand Nollywood’s international presence reflects a broader movement within African entertainment.

Across the continent, filmmakers, musicians and digital creators are increasingly seeking international audiences while maintaining the cultural identities that distinguish their work.

For Akindele, the task is to build on her domestic success and establish a stronger international presence for Nigerian cinema.

Her forthcoming film, international premiere plans and partnership with Facebook represent important steps in that direction.

As African productions continue to attract attention beyond the continent, the question is increasingly becoming how filmmakers can turn international interest into lasting commercial opportunities.

Akindele’s journey offers one example of how established African entertainers are attempting to answer that question: by building strong local audiences, investing in production and finding new ways to take African stories to the world.