Top 10 biggest film industries in Africa by revenue (2024)

The African movie industry has come a long way since the days of low-quality productions with amateur actors. Today, Africa is home to some of the most talented filmmakers and actors in the world, producing movies that not only entertain but also educate and inspire. In this article, we will be looking at the top 10 movie markets in Africa by revenue. These countries have become the hub of African cinema, producing a variety of high-quality movies that resonate with both local and international audiences.

Biggest movie producing countries in Africa by revenue and average movies produced

Rank	Country	Average number of movie per year	Revenue
1	Nigeria	2,599	$15.32 million
2	Ghana	600	$1.1 million
3	Kenya	500	$4.7  million
4	Tanzania	500	$0.7  million
5	Uganda	200	$0.5 million
6	Tunisia	185	$0.1 million
7	Ethiopia	140	$0.9 million
8	Zambia	105	$0.5 million
9	Liberia	100	$0.2 million
10	Egypt	60	$0.3 million

1. Nigeria

Nigeria‘s movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, is the largest movie industry in Africa by revenue. It produces an average of 2,599 movies per year, making it the second-largest movie industry in the world after India’s Bollywood.

Nollywood movies are known for their unique storylines and plot twists, and they have become popular with audiences worldwide. The industry is estimated to be worth around $15.3 million and employs over a million people. Nollywood movies are available on various platforms such as Netflix, iROKOtv, and Africa Magic, and they have gained a massive following in Africa and beyond.

2. Ghana

Ghana is another significant movie market in Africa, producing an average of 600 movies per year. The Ghanaian movie industry, popularly known as Ghallywood, has made a name for itself by producing movies that depict the country’s rich culture and traditions.

Ghallywood movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in West Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $1.1 million and employs over 5,000 people.

3. Kenya

Kenya is a significant player in the African movie industry, producing an average of 500 movies per year. The Kenyan movie industry, popularly known as Riverwood, has gained a reputation for producing movies that address social issues such as corruption, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.

Riverwood movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in East Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $4.7 million and employs over 1,000 people.

4. Tanzania

Tanzania is another significant movie market in Africa, producing an average of 500 movies per year. The Tanzanian movie industry, popularly known as Swahiliwood, has made a name for itself by producing movies that depict the country’s rich culture and traditions.

Swahiliwood movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in East Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.7 million and employs over 500 people.

5. Uganda

Uganda is a significant player in the African movie industry, producing an average of 200 movies per year. The Ugandan movie industry has gained a reputation for producing movies that address social issues such as corruption, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.

Ugandan movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in East Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.5 million and employs over 500 people.

6. Tunisia

Tunisia is a significant movie market in North Africa, producing an average of 185 movies per year. The Tunisian movie industry has gained a reputation for producing movies that address social issues such as women’s rights and political corruption.

Tunisian movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in North Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.1 million and employs over 500 people.

7. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a significant player in the African movie industry, producing an average of 140 movies per year. The Ethiopian movie industry has gained a reputation for producing movies that depict the country’s rich history and culture, and it has become a significant contributor to the country’s economy.

Ethiopian movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in East Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.9 million and employs over 500 people.

8. Zambia

Zambia is a growing movie market in Africa, producing an average of 105 movies per year. The Zambian movie industry has gained a reputation for producing movies that address social issues such as gender-based violence and corruption.

Zambian movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in Southern Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.2 million and employs over 200 people.

9.  Liberia

Liberia is another growing movie market in Africa, producing an average of 100 movies per year. The Liberian movie industry has gained a reputation for producing movies that depict the country’s rich culture and history.

Liberian movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in West Africa. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.2 million and employs over 200 people.

10. Egypt

Egypt is a significant movie market in North Africa, producing an average of 60 movies per year. The Egyptian movie industry has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century, and it has produced some of the most iconic movies in Africa.

Egyptian movies are known for their high-quality production and talented actors, and they have gained a massive following in North Africa and the Middle East. The industry is estimated to be worth around $0.3 million and employs over 50,000 people.

Conclusion

The African movie industry is growing at a rapid pace, and these top 10 movie markets have played a significant role in this development. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Zambia, Liberia, and Egypt have proven to be the most lucrative markets for African cinema, producing some of the most creative and inspiring movies on the continent.

The number of movies produced per year varies from country to country, but they all share a common goal of telling African stories that resonate with both local and international audiences. As the industry continues to expand, it is exciting to see what new and innovative productions will come from these countries and the rest of the continent.