MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, is strengthening West Africa’s creative future through the graduation of a new cohort from the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa Academy.
The latest group of aspiring filmmakers from Nigeria and Ghana completed the programme, marking another milestone in developing young talent for Africa’s fast-growing film and television industry.
The graduation comes at a time when West Africa’s screen sector is gaining global recognition, driven by rising demand for authentic local stories, increased investment in African content, and the rapid growth of digital viewing platforms.
A total of 20 students completed the intensive nine-month programme, delivered in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University. The curriculum combines academic training with hands-on industry experience, covering directing, producing, scriptwriting, cinematography, and editing.
Dean of the School of Media & Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Ikechukwu Obiaya, encouraged the graduates to remain committed to growth, collaboration, and continuous learning, noting that the industry rewards intentional development rather than complacency.
MTF alumni continue to make their mark across Africa’s entertainment landscape, working with leading production companies and earning recognition at platforms such as the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
This year’s cohort also demonstrated strong entrepreneurial drive. Five graduates launched two independent companies during the programme: Muri Marun Stories, a production outfit founded by Tolulope Akande, Opeyemi Obasa, and Dorathy Ufot; and CineX Mart Ltd, a marketing and distribution firm established by Abdulsalam Ibrahim Oladimeji and Audu Israel Yakubu.
Muri Marun Stories received the CEO’s Entrepreneurial Award along with a ₦2 million grant to support its growth, while CineX Mart earned recognition for its strong business potential and early traction in the industry.
CineX Mart has already begun making inroads, successfully placing the short film The Phone Call on Minflix and managing marketing for the MTF production Trouble for Two.
Individual achievements also stood out. Ghanaian filmmaker Kwaku Edusei Acquah won the Audience Choice Award at the Lift-Off Global Network Film Festival for his film The Imperfect Plan. His work, alongside projects by Amirat Yakub and Emmanuella Nwachukwu, highlights the creative strength of the cohort.
Kwaku further received the Creative Innovator Award from the University for the Creative Arts, presented by Seyi Agboola, alongside a £1,500 prize to support his development.
CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, Kemi Omotosho, described the graduation as a defining moment for both the students and the future of African storytelling, noting that the graduates are already contributing to job creation, community impact, and the global positioning of African narratives.
The long-term impact of the MTF initiative is reflected in the achievements of its alumni. The Class of 2021’s platform, Filmmakers Mart, recently secured support from the World Bank Group for expansion across five countries. Filmmaker Blessing Bulus earned the Women in Arts Impact Grant for her documentary Mi Tazi, while Ebuwa Desmond Ekunwe secured a fellowship at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg.
In addition, Alice Johnson now plays a key role at the Goethe-Institut, coordinating Africa-Europe cultural partnerships.
Since its launch in 2018, the MultiChoice Talent Factory has grown into a cornerstone of Africa’s creative economy, demonstrating that its graduates are not just entering the industry but actively shaping its future.
With a new cohort now stepping into the professional space, MultiChoice continues to invest in the next generation of West African filmmakers, ensuring that African stories are told by African voices on the global stage.
