The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced an investment in Filmmakers Mart (FMM), Africa’s first integrated digital production platform, to enhance access to production services across the continent’s growing film and entertainment industry. This marks IFC’s first investment in Nigeria’s audiovisual sector and its first co-investment with Sony Innovation Fund Africa.
FMM is designed to streamline the fragmented process of sourcing production services by connecting creatives to essential resources through a centralized digital platform. The platform offers services such as:
- Location scouting
- Logistics coordination
- Catering
- Permit acquisition
By leveraging AI-powered tools and automated workflows, FMM ensures cost efficiency, time savings, and access to vetted service providers and filming locations—addressing long-standing challenges in Africa’s production ecosystem.
IFC’s investment will enable FMM to:
- Expand beyond its current markets—Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, and South Africa—into new African territories.
- Develop new platform features, including:
- Subscription-based models
- Post-production tools
- Training programs for creatives
This partnership aims to strengthen Africa’s creative economy by reducing barriers to market access for filmmakers and production teams.
Eric Kafui Okyerefo, Chief Executive Officer of Filmmakers Mart, shared his thoughts, stating:
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.
Sony Innovation Fund’s investment will provide FMM with access to its global network and expertise in content distribution, strengthening the platform’s market position.
Commenting on the partnership, Antonio Avitabile, Managing Director for EMEA at Sony Ventures, said:
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.
Dahlia Khalifa, who serves as IFC’s Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, remarked:
Africa’s film and entertainment sector is brimming with talent, but talent alone is not enough. It needs the right tools, platforms, and investment to thrive. Our partnership with Sony to support Filmmakers Mart reflects IFC’s commitment to harnessing technology and innovation to support Africa’s creative industries and help scale opportunities for the next generation of storytellers across the continent.
