British actor Idris Elba has revealed plans to reduce—or possibly step away entirely from—his acting career, choosing instead to focus on directing and developing the film industry in Africa, with Rwanda among the countries central to his vision.
In 2024, Elba told the BBC that he intends to relocate to Africa for the next 10 years, dedicating that time to nurturing local filmmaking talent and strengthening the continent’s creative industries.
His goal is to help African filmmakers tell their own stories on the global stage.
Elba has already demonstrated his commitment to the region. He previously starred in a film inspired by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, a tragedy in which more than one million Tutsi were killed.
The project highlighted his interest in using cinema to preserve history and promote understanding through storytelling.
Beyond Rwanda, Elba has also received land from the Government of Tanzania, where he plans to build a high-tech film studio.
The facility is expected to serve as a hub for African filmmakers, providing world-class production infrastructure and empowering African actors, directors, and producers to create and distribute their own narratives.
Through these initiatives, Idris Elba is positioning himself not only as a global film star, but also as a key advocate for the future of African cinema.
