Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, has entered into a partnership with Hollywood Studios to promote and develop Kenya’s film industry.
In a tweet on Saturday, Namwamba announced that the agreement would include a range of incentives to attract film production to Kenya, such as visa waivers, streamlined entry for filming equipment, and improved access to filming locations.
This deal comes just a day after the Sports CS signed a historic agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to establish an office in Nairobi for the development of the local basketball sector.
“A day after signing a historic deal with the NBA in New York to develop basketball in Kenya, today in Los Angeles, California, inked another groundbreaking deal with Hollywood’s Invention Studios that opens the door for the rapid growth of Kenya’s film industry,” he said.
Namwamba stated that these initiatives are part of President William Ruto’s commitment to enhancing Kenya’s creative industries.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Arts, and Sports will implement a comprehensive incentives framework to position Kenya as a preferred destination for filmmaking.
In addition, the agreement with Hollywood’s Invention Studios will also elevate e-Talanta as a global platform for Kenyan and African creative content.
Invention Studios will promote Kenya as a filming destination, produce multiple movies in Kenya, and support the Talanta Hela Initiative, fostering talent development and protecting the intellectual property rights of Kenyan creatives, including access to royalties.
“Invention Studios will promote Kenya as a filming destination, shoot multiple movies in Kenya and support the Talanta Hela Initiative by growing talents and promoting the protection of Kenyan creatives’ intellectual property and access to royalties,” he said.
Namwamba also mentioned that Invention Studios will provide technical and advisory support to Kenya for the upcoming Youth Connekt Africa Summit scheduled for December 8 to 12.
He characterized this partnership as a dress rehearsal for forthcoming policy and legislative measures aimed at unleashing the full potential of the creative industry in Kenya.
This announcement coincides with the upcoming Film Summit in Nairobi on September 29, following the first Creatives Summit in November 2022.
“This deal is a dress rehearsal for policy and legislative measures the ministry is developing to consolidate and unleash the full potential of the Creatives Industry. It comes just a week before we host a historic Film Summit in Nairobi on September 29, as a follow up to the first Creatives Summit of November, 2022,” Namwamba said.
“The ultimate goal is to elevate Kenya to the continental hub for filming commerce in Africa.”
