Additionally, a pilot program in Ghana aims to streamline payment systems for local creatives, enhancing financial inclusion and opportunities for the unbanked youth.

Idris Elba, renowned for his roles in 'The Wire' and 'Luther,' is on a mission to transform Africa's entertainment industry.

His vision includes building film studios across Africa, starting with a significant project in Zanzibar, Tanzania, following a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the World Economic Forum.

The Zanzibar government has pledged nearly 200 acres of land for this studio, which Elba envisions as a cornerstone for a global entertainment hub akin to Hollywood, Nollywood, or Bollywood.

Elba points out that many African governments have yet to recognize the economic potential of the creative sector, often due to a lack of regulation and investment.

Highlighting Africa's youthful median age of 19, Elba advocates for local storytelling to counter negative portrayals of the continent.

Drawing parallels with South Korea's entertainment industry, which saw a notable increase in pop-culture exports, Elba believes Africa can achieve similar growth.

This ambitious project may lead to the creation of a new entertainment center, potentially dubbed 'Zallywood' or 'Zawood,' that could rival established film industries.

He emphasizes the need for a robust financial model to support consistent quality in content creation and encourages local governments to invest in the entertainment economy.

Despite representing 18% of the global population, Africa accounts for only 1% of the global creative economy, which is projected to double in the next five years.

Global companies like Netflix and Disney are already investing in Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, indicating a growing interest in the continent's creative potential.

To further support African creatives, Elba has partnered with Stellar to launch the Akuna Wallet, a digital platform that facilitates payments and royalties for artists in regions with limited banking infrastructure.