by Emmanuel Akinwotu, The Guardian, 21 October 2021
Film industries in Africa have the potential to quadruple their revenues and create an extra 20 million jobs, driven in part by acquisitions and commissions by streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, according to the United Nations’ cultural body Unesco.
The Unesco report found most creative industries in Africa were grossly underserved, mostly due to the failure of policymakers and local authorities to protect and invest in content. Two-thirds of African countries acknowledged that more than half the money generated by their film industries was lost to illegal avenues such as piracy.
Unesco’s director-general Audrey Azoulay called for more international cooperation with filmmakers across the region, noting the report “showcases the great potential of Africa’s audio-visual sector, both in terms of creativity and growth.”
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