Published on 26 Jan 2025

Singaporean firm joins Lagos Film City project

Film-making hub set to elevate the US$1.2bn Nigerian movie industry

Photo source: Daily Trust

Singapore-based consulting firm TSC Global has entered a joint venture with Nigerian-American conglomerate Del-York Group to develop the Lagos Film City, now rebranded as Kebulania. The signing ceremony for the project, which aims to position Lagos as a hub for creative industries, was recently held in Singapore and attended virtually by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Situated on a 100-hectare site in Epe, in the north-eastern part of Lagos State, Kebulania is set to house film and television production studios, as well as facilities for post-production and visual effects. The project includes a 50,000 sqm data centre and a 1GW gas power plant, with 100 MW dedicated to powering the data centre. Power supply remains a major obstacle for Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, where frequent reliance on generators significantly inflates production costs. Furthermore, the complex will incorporate training and innovation facilities to support creatives, entrepreneurs, and technology talent.

Under the joint venture, TSC Global will contribute its expertise in technical infrastructure. The company has experience in areas such as data centres, power plants, and transport systems. It has already worked on some projects in Africa, including a Nigeria electricity-related assignment. Del-York Group, meanwhile, will be the lead developer of Kebulania. It first signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lagos State Government in 2022, and a groundbreaking ceremony followed last year. The project, a public-private partnership, is moving into its next phase, with architectural work expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025 and construction anticipated to start in the second quarter.

Nollywood, the world’s second-largest film industry by output, produces over 2,500 films annually, surpassing Hollywood in volume and trailing only India’s Bollywood. The industry generates US$1.2bn in annual revenues. Major streaming platforms have contributed to its growth, with Netflix investing over US$175m in African productions over the past decade, including a multi-title deal with Nigerian production company EbonyLife. South Africa-based Showmax has also made significant investments in locally produced African content. Additionally, Africa-focused film companies have entered into global collaborations, such as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ partnership with Kugali Media for the animated series Iwájú, released on Disney+.

However, not all global platforms are bullish on the Nigerian market. Amazon Prime exited Nigeria in January 2024, a year after launching local productions and a major marketing campaign. High inflation – which hit 34.80% in annual terms in December – and weakening currency has dented consumer purchasing power and put pressure on international streaming platforms’ hard-currency earnings.

 

References

'Gov Sanwo-Olu signs MoU with Del York on Film City for Lagos', Vanguard, 17 October 2022

'Del-York Group celebrates the groundbreaking of Lagos Film City', Del-York International, 19 October 2023

'Sanwo-Olu performs groundbreaking of $100m Lagos Film City, says facility will promote nation’s diversity', ThisDay, 19 October 2023

'Work begins on $100m Lagos Film City', Punch Nigeria, 19 October 2023

'It’s time to invest in the African creatives shaping global trends', Atlantic Council, 16 July 2024

'Big Ticket Nollywood: Leading the charge in African cinema', Forbes Africa, 19 August 2024

'Netflix denies market exit, as it “continues to invest in Nigerian content”', TechCabal, 04 December 2024

'Singapore’s TSC Global, Del-York seal $4.5b deal for Lagos Film City', The Guardian, 20 December 2024

'Singapore’s TSC Global, Nigeria’s Del-York Group seal $4.5bn deal to build Lagos Film City', ThisDay, 20 December 2024

'Historic $4.5 billion investment to create Africa's premier creative city: Lagos Film City (Kebulania)', LinkedIn, December 2024

Nigerian inflation rises for fourth straight month in December’, Reuters, 15 January 2025

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