History was made at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as Nigeria’s creative industry took center stage on the global map. The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, led by Hannatu Musa Musawa, sealed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) to establish the Africa International Film Festival Film and Content Market.
This groundbreaking partnership, announced at Cannes, signals a new era for Nigeria’s creative economy and the entire continent. “One of the ways we have cultivated in doing that is by not only partnering with the private sector, but by truly working with key industry players to create an amicable environment. This is pivotal to the Federal Government in our push to propel the industry to greater heights,” said Minister Musawa.
Set to debut at AFRIFF 2025 in Lagos, the Film and Content Market is designed to connect global creators, investors, and distributors, positioning Nigeria and Africa as central players in the global content economy. The move underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the creative sector through bold, strategic public-private partnerships.
With this deal, Nigeria not only raises its flag higher at Cannes, but also opens fresh doors for filmmakers, storytellers, and investors—cementing Lagos and Nollywood as the heartbeat of Africa’s cinematic future.
