Team Europe Explores Kannywood’s Economic Potential, Backs Creative Industry as Driver of Jobs and Social Change

A high-level delegation of European diplomats has visited Kano’s thriving film industry, Kannywood, to explore its growing role in creating jobs, promoting education, and driving social change across northern Nigeria.

The delegation, led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, toured the Kano Film Village to gain first-hand insight into how the industry is contributing to youth employment, skills development, and economic opportunities in the region.

The visit brought together ambassadors and senior diplomats from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Czechia, Finland, Belgium, and Austria under the Team Europe initiative.

The delegation was received by the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu.

During the visit, the diplomats interacted with filmmakers, actors, producers, and regulators, while observing the production of Hindatu, a film that tells the story of a young girl determined to pursue her education and become a medical doctor despite family pressure to marry at an early age.

Speaking during the tour, Ambassador Mignot emphasized the transformative power of storytelling and the creative arts in shaping public attitudes and advancing development goals.

“Stories have the power to inspire change. Films that promote education, opportunity and inclusion can spark important conversations and encourage positive change within communities,” he said.

He noted that beyond entertainment, the creative industry serves as a catalyst for economic growth by providing jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, and skills for young people.

“Creative industries are not only about culture. They are also about jobs, skills, entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young people. Across Nigeria, young people are demonstrating remarkable talent and creativity, and industries such as Kannywood are helping transform that potential into livelihoods and economic opportunity,” Mignot added.

Highlighting Kannywood’s contribution to social development, Executive Secretary of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba El-Mustapha, said the industry continues to promote positive values while supporting thousands of practitioners across the creative sector.

According to him, the Board has approved more than 10,000 films over the years and has consistently supported industry growth through training programmes, workshops, and stakeholder engagement.

“Our role is not only regulatory. We also work with filmmakers to strengthen professional standards, support capacity development and ensure that films contribute positively to society,” he stated.

The delegation also toured the Kano Film Village, a production facility established by broadcaster and filmmaker Abdullaziz Dansmall, who explained how the facility evolved from the proceeds of a successful film project.

“Our first major production was Gidang Haya. We used the revenue from that project to build little by little, expanding the facility over time. Our long-term ambition is to transform the site into a fully developed film village capable of supporting larger productions,” Dansmall said.

Speaking on the economic significance of the industry, Ali Nuhu cited research indicating that film production is the second-largest source of youth employment in Kano State after agriculture.

He noted that the sector’s impact extends beyond actors and filmmakers, supporting a broad value chain that includes technicians, costume designers, marketers, transport operators, and other service providers.

Nuhu, however, acknowledged challenges facing the industry, particularly in film distribution and access to production infrastructure. He said Kannywood has increasingly embraced digital platforms and online distribution channels following the decline of traditional DVD markets.

The visit comes as the European Union expands its support for cultural cooperation between Africa and Europe through initiatives such as the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC), a €30 million programme designed to promote artist mobility, strengthen cultural spaces, and foster collaboration between African and European creative professionals.

The EU said the programme reflects its growing recognition of culture and creative industries as important drivers of economic opportunity, innovation, and social development across the continent.