Aspiring to Secure Position as Africa's Upcoming Film Capital, Abidjan Aims High
Ivory Coast's film industry is experiencing a significant surge, fueled by both domestic initiatives and international partnerships aimed at boosting its growth.
Shaidate Coulibaly, the production manager of "Le Testament", has noted a growing number of enthusiastic technicians and filmmakers in Ivory Coast. This momentum is echoed by Adama Rouamba, the film's Burkinabe director, who highlighted the sector's professionalization in the West African nation.
Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower and a regional economic powerhouse, is banking on its young population, with 75% under 35, to develop its film sector. The country's lack of cinemas, with only 15 movie theatres, nearly all of them in Abidjan, could change with the arrival of Pathé cinemas and a projected new cinema in Bouaké.
Philippe Lacote, a Franco-Ivorian director, has been using a predominantly Ivorian team for his productions in Abidjan since 2022. In 2024, Ivorian films made up for about 10 percent of screenings in the country and six percent of the box office, marking an exceptional year for Ivorian films, according to Adama Konkobo.
The government, through the Ministry of Communication and the Media Support and Development Agency (Asdm), is actively supporting the next generation of Ivorian storytellers. This was evident at the 2025 International Salon for Audiovisual Content (SICA), where a pitch competition encouraged filmmakers, producers, and content creators to submit original projects.
One of the key measures to support the industry's growth is the international co-production treaty signed with the French-speaking Walloon Region of Belgium in July 2025. This agreement enables Ivory Coast to access Belgium's tax shelter system, advanced audiovisual resources, training programs, and a network of film festivals. It also facilitates funding, with four projects already securing financial support under this treaty.
Jean-Pascal Zadi, a Franco-Ivorian director, expressed the importance of contributing to the development of Africa's cultural industry. Part of Zadi's movie "Le Grand Deplacement" was shot in Ivory Coast, and his next film, an action movie, will also be shot there.
Ivory Coast's Minister of Communication, Amadou Coulibaly, wants to establish specialized programs in schools to train local players in the film sector. The minister also expressed a desire to make Ivory Coast the hub of audiovisual content on the continent, as stated at a recent international convention in Abidjan.
However, private investors in Ivory Coast's film sector are still cautious, according to Shaidate Coulibaly. Despite this, the future of Ivory Coast's film industry looks promising, with a growing number of local, pan-African, and international film productions being shot in the country.
[1] Source: https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/14/ivory-coast-and-belgium-sign-co-production-treaty/ [2] Source: https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/14/ivory-coast-and-belgium-sign-co-production-treaty/ [3] Source: https://www.africanews.com/2022/06/14/ivory-coast-and-belgium-sign-co-production-treaty/
- The surge in Ivory Coast's film industry is not limited to the technical teams, as education and self-development are also crucial, with the government supporting the next generation of Ivorian storytellers through specialized programs in schools.
- In the realm of lifestyle, Ivory Coast's film industry is closely tied to its finance sector, with the international co-production treaty signed with the French-speaking Walloon Region of Belgium providing access to advanced audiovisual resources, training programs, and funding opportunities, attracting both local and international productions.
- As Ivory Coast's film industry continues to grow, it also becomes a significant player in the entertainment industry, not only in West Africa but across the continent. This growth is accompanied by a shift in the country's technology sector, as urban landscapes, like Abidjan, become host to new cinemas, such as Pathé cinemas, and emerging technology plays a role in film production.
