The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested in Filmmakers Mart (FMM), Africa’s first integrated digital production platform.
The investment is meant to improve access to production services across the continent’s growing film and entertainment industry.
The investment in FMM is IFC’s first in Nigeria’s audiovisual sector and its first co-investment with Sony Innovation Fund Africa.
Filmmakers Mart was set up to aid the sourcing of production services by linking creatives to key resources via a centralized digital platform.
The platform provides services like location scouting, logistics coordination, catering and permit acquisition.
With AI-powered tools and automated workflows, FMM saves time and cost, while guaranteeing access to vetted service providers and filming locations, with the ultimate aim of tackling
long-standing problems in Africa’s production landscape.
With IFC’s investment, FMM will be able to expand beyond its present markets – Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria – into fresh African nations.
It’ll also help Filmmakers Mart to develop new features like post-production tools, training programs for creatives, and subscription-based models.
The collaboration will boost the continent’s creative economy by decreasing hurdles to market access for movie producers and production teams.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Filmmakers Mart, Eric Kafui Okyerefo, the partnership aids the vision of his company to build an operating system for the creative industries in emerging markets.
“We’re building the operating system for the creative industries in emerging markets—an ecosystem of interconnected tools and services designed to eliminate friction, unlock collaboration, and scale access to opportunities for creatives and entertainment businesses.
Having IFC and Sony Ventures as strategic partners strongly validates this vision. Their support enables us to deepen our impact, expand globally, and continue solving the structural challenges faced by storytellers and producers in these markets,” he said.
The Managing Director for EMEA at Sony Ventures concluded by saying that the firm is committed to aiding platforms that empower creatives.
“At Sony Innovation Fund, we are committed to supporting technologies and platforms that empower creators and drive growth. Filmmakers Mart is addressing real infrastructure gaps in Africa’s production ecosystem with a smart, scalable solution.
We’re proud to partner with IFC on this investment and excited to help FMM unlock new opportunities for the region’s vibrant creative community,” he added.
