Renowned British actor Idris Elba has announced plans to relocate to Africa within the next decade, aiming to support the continent's growing film industry. The 52-year-old star, celebrated for his roles in Beasts of No Nation and Long Walk to Freedom, revealed this intention during a film industry meeting in Accra, Ghana, as reported by the BBC.

Elba, who has already initiated projects to build film studios in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Accra, highlighted the urgent need for Africans to take control of their own stories on the global stage. “If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma,” he remarked. "It’s really important that we own those stories of our tradition, of our culture, of our languages."

Born in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leonean father, Elba is passionate about using his influence to reshape how Africa is portrayed in global cinema. He described the film industry as a "soft power" capable of changing perceptions. "I won’t be able to do that from overseas. I need to be in-country, on the continent," Elba explained.

The actor also emphasized that his move will not be limited to one city or country. He plans to live in Accra, Freetown, and Zanzibar, contributing to the storytelling culture wherever it thrives. “I’m going to try and go where they’re telling stories – that’s really important,” he added.

In addition to his upcoming plans, Elba will star as Okonkwo in the highly anticipated TV adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart, further solidifying his commitment to African storytelling.