Renowned Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Benin to deepen collaboration in film production, youth empowerment, and creative infrastructure development across West Africa.

The agreement was signed at the KAP Hub in Lagos, headquarters of Kunle Afolayan Productions, following high-level engagements initiated by the Beninese Presidency. The cross-border partnership is designed to strengthen African storytelling and position Benin as an emerging hub for audio-visual production on the continent.

According to a statement, the MoU represents a transformative step toward building globally competitive creative infrastructure while promoting authentic African narratives. It reinforces KAP Group’s growing role in fostering Pan-African collaborations aimed at empowering young creatives and expanding the reach of African cinema.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Afolayan and KAP Executive Director ’Seun Soyinka led a management delegation to Cotonou for consultations with senior government officials and stakeholders in Benin’s film and audio-visual sector. Discussions focused on frameworks to boost local content creation, enhance technical expertise, and establish sustainable structures for cinematography and creative enterprise.

The partnership will focus on three key areas: co-production of films that promote African stories globally; structured youth training programmes across various aspects of filmmaking; and the development and operation of a film city in Ouidah, Benin.

A Beninese government delegation later formalised the agreement in Lagos, marking the official commencement of the collaboration. Members of the delegation also toured KAP’s production facilities and its Film Village & Resort in Oyo State.

Describing the agreement as a defining moment for African cinema, Afolayan said the collaboration reflects visionary leadership and cultural authenticity working together to project Africa’s creative strength to the world.