Nigeria’s film industry is seeking greater access to China’s vast cinema market following the unveiling of a strategic partnership aimed at promoting joint film production, technology exchange and cross-border theatrical distribution between the two countries.
The initiative was launched at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja during the opening of the Chinese Film Exhibition in Nigeria 2026, held alongside the 23rd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).
The partnership is expected to establish commercial channels for Nigerian filmmakers to reach Chinese audiences while creating opportunities for Chinese productions to expand into Nigeria and the wider West African market.
Founder of AIFF, Fidelis Duker, said the collaboration would combine Nollywood’s storytelling strengths with China’s advanced film technology, investment capacity and extensive distribution networks.
He described Nigeria’s film industry as a global storytelling force whose creative output could benefit from stronger access to international financing, technical expertise and new markets.
“China possesses one of the most advanced technical film infrastructures and largest box offices in the world. When you marry Nigerian narrative vitality with Chinese technical infrastructure, capital, and distribution expertise, the opportunities for our film industries are limitless,” Duker said.
He added that the partnership could create opportunities for young Nigerian filmmakers through capacity-building initiatives, technological exchange and access to the Asian market.
The initiative has brought together representatives of major film institutions and distribution companies from both countries to explore practical areas of cooperation.
Among those present was a Chinese delegation led by Dai Yiming, chairman of Huaxia Film Distribution Co. Ltd., alongside representatives of Nigeria’s National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and cinema distributors from Lagos.
The parties are holding discussions on regulatory coordination, joint production arrangements, technology transfer and theatrical distribution channels for Chinese films in West Africa.
Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, said the collaboration aligned with China’s Global Civilisation Initiative, which promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding among nations.
He also highlighted existing cooperation between the countries, including the dubbing and broadcasting of productions in African languages such as Hausa.
The Chinese Film Exhibition features several productions, including The Lychee Road, Blades of the Guardians and Shadow Edge.
Five Chinese feature films have also entered the competition for awards at the Abuja International Film Festival, with the winners scheduled to be announced on Saturday.
The partnership marks a fresh effort to strengthen commercial and cultural links between Nigeria and China through cinema, with its long-term prospects dependent on the development of workable co-production agreements and sustainable distribution arrangements.
