The growing trend of Nigerian asset managers and investors who are increasingly focusing on Nollywood as a lucrative investment opportunity requires much attention.

MBO Capital Management Limited (MCM) recently hosted its first Film Financing Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, to boost investment in the country’s film industry, Nollywood. The seasoned investment firm with ₦5 billion, already committed to Nollywood since 2013 and aims to deepen its support for the sector’s professional growth.

The conference brought together filmmakers, actors, producers, investors, and other stakeholders to discuss how to unlock the industry’s full economic potential. It featured four key panel discussions.

Financing Nollywood – This segment discussed the financiers’ interests in projects and how filmmakers can effectively budget to secure funding.

Positioning Nollywood for Foreign Markets – They went one step further into storytelling and focused on strategic and globally appealing methods. It provided an insight into crafting meaningful stories that capture interests beyond Nigeria’s limited consumer base.

Behind the Scenes – The vital but underappreciated roles of crew members were highlighted. Suggestions were made to improve the working conditions of those who operate outside the screens.

The Evolution of Filmmaking – A historical and forward-looking perspective on Nollywood’s transformation in production, finance, and distribution was laid on the table.

Nollywood is the world’s second-largest film producer by volume after India and employs over a million people directly or indirectly. Despite economic challenges such as poverty and inflation in Nigeria, cinema ticket sales grew significantly by 60% last year to 11.5 billion naira, reflecting sustained local demand.

The industry remains underexploited but is also an increasingly attractive sector for asset managers in Nigeria. The withdrawal of major global streamers from commissioning has catalyzed this local investor interest, creating a promising investment landscape in Nigerian cinema.

The MCM event underscored the importance of structured financing and reaffirmed its role in driving investment and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s creative economy.