On Thursday, 10th April 2025, MBO Capital Management Limited (MCM) hosted its inaugural Film Financing Conference, a forum geared towards encouraging further investments in Nigeria’s film industry, popularly referred to as Nollywood.
MBO Capital Management Limited is a sector-agnostic investment and financial advisory firm with a diversified portfolio spanning investments in the power, retail, healthcare, and financial services sectors, amongst others. Since its establishment in 2013, MCM has invested over ₦5 billion in Nigeria’s film industry, demonstrating a long standing commitment to the growth and professionalisation of Nollywood.
The conference convened leading voices across the film ecosystem, including filmmakers, actors, producers, investors, and other interested stakeholders. Together, they explored strategic approaches to unlocking the full economic potential of Nigeria’s film industry. The conference featured a series of insightful panel discussions, each addressing key dimensions of Nigeria’s evolving film industry.
The opening session, “Financing Nollywood”, sought to provide clarity on what film financiers look for when evaluating projects. Panelists discussed diverse funding avenues and shared practical advice on budgeting effectively for large-scale productions, which is particularly useful for emerging filmmakers seeking to attract investment.
The second panel, “Positioning Nollywood for Foreign Markets”, focused on strategies for creating compelling local content that would appeal to a global audience. Speakers addressed the limitations of Nigeria’s relatively narrow consumer base and emphasised the importance of expanding Nollywood’s reach through internationally resonant storytelling.
In “Looking Behind the Scenes: The Art of Telling the Best Stories”, the third session highlighted the often overlooked contributions of crew members beyond the spotlight. Panelists examined challenges faced by behind-the-scenes professionals and proposed actionable solutions to improve working conditions across film sets.
The final session, “The Evolution of Filmmaking in Nigeria”, offered a cross-generational perspective on the industry’s transformation. Nollywood veterans reflected changes in production techniques, financing models, and distribution channels, drawing comparisons between past practices and current innovations.
Collectively, these conversations reinforced the importance of structured financing and the role MCM continues to play in supporting storytellers, driving investment into the creative economy, and fostering sustainable growth within Nollywood.
MBO Capital Management Limited is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria and is authorized to act as a Private Equity Fund Manager.
