The Next Narrative Africa Fund (NNAF) has unveiled its inaugural slate of development projects, with several Nigerian titles included in the lineup.
The fund, which combines $40 million in commercial financing with a $10 million non-profit venture studio, selected nine projects from over 2,000 submissions across Africa and the diaspora.
Led by Akunna Cook, CEO of Next Narrative Africa, the initiative is focused on supporting film, television, and new media projects while expanding the global reach of African storytelling.
Among the selected projects, Nigerian productions feature prominently. Innocent, a mystery thriller set in Lagos, will be directed by Arie Esiri, who co-wrote the script with Chuko Esiri. The project builds on the brothers’ growing international profile following their recent film Clarissa.
Also selected is Bako, a romance and science fiction story set in a near-future Nigeria where humans coexist with aliens. Directed by Boma Iluma, the film explores how technological shifts reshape society, with a central love story at its core.
Jollof Wars, a comedy-fantasy musical rooted in West African culture, is also part of the slate. Directed by Hamid Ibrahim, the film follows a competitive culinary world where chefs summon ancestral spirits, blending mythology with contemporary storytelling.
Beyond Nigeria, the slate includes Beyond Day Zero, produced by Trevor Noah, alongside projects such as Skunk starring Thuso Mbedu, Rapman’s untitled Sierra Leonean political thriller, Ghana’s United States of Africa, Zoey Martinson’s The Return, and Sudanese drama About Love & September Laws.
According to Cook, the selected projects reflect a balance of commercial viability and cultural relevance.
“These nine projects rose to the top because they are commercially compelling, culturally resonant, and globally relevant,” he said, adding that the fund aims to position African content for increased global investment.
The projects collectively represent over $60 million in production investment across the continent.
As part of its rollout, NNAF also announced a partnership with Parrot Analytics to support data-driven decision-making. The collaboration is expected to provide insights into global demand for African content and strengthen the fund’s investment strategy.
With its inaugural slate, the fund signals a continued push to connect African creators with international financing while expanding the reach of local stories.