On June 26th and 27th, 2025, Nigeria and Brazil signed a landmark audiovisual co-production agreement, setting the stage for a new era of cultural and creative collaboration between Africa and Latin America. This marks the first such agreement between the two nations, signaling a deepened commitment to storytelling, industry growth, and mutual investment in the global creative economy.
The agreement enables filmmakers and production companies from both countries to co-develop and co-finance films, television series, animation projects, and digital content. These joint ventures will now have access to production grants, tax incentives, and distribution support in both Nigeria and Brazil, opening up broader markets and allowing creatives to benefit from shared infrastructure and technical expertise.
At the heart of this partnership lies a shared belief in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures. Nigerian Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa-Musawa, described the deal as “a bridge between continents, between cultures, and between creative economies.” Her statement reflects Nigeria’s broader vision under initiatives like Destination 2030 and the “Nigeria Everywhere” campaign, both of which emphasize cultural diplomacy and global expansion of the nation’s creative identity.
Brazil’s Minister of Culture, Margarida Menezes, echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about the possibilities the agreement brings. Brazil, known for its robust television and cinematic traditions, plans to leverage its embassies and cultural platforms to support implementation and outreach across the Latin American region.
This moment also carries historical weight. Nigeria and Brazil share deep-rooted Afro-heritage ties dating back to the transatlantic era, when culture and identity were shaped across oceans. This agreement is not just about film and television but also a reclamation of shared narratives and a celebration of diasporic memory. It creates a formal structure to tell stories that connect Lagos to Salvador, Kano to São Paulo.
Economically, the pact holds massive potential. By creating channels for co-financing and production, it stimulates job creation and creative industry expansion in both countries. It also positions Nigerian and Brazilian content more competitively on the global stage, especially with the growing demand for rooted, authentic Black stories across platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+.
The next phase involves forming a bilateral working group to outline a detailed implementation plan. This includes the rollout of funding calls, formalized incentive structures, and the launch of training and exchange programs that encourage skills transfer in key areas such as animation, VFX, and post-production. Pilot projects are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
For both nations, this agreement is more than paperwork, but a declaration of intent. It recognizes that our stories are our power and that by working together, Nigeria and Brazil can reframe how Black narratives are shaped, produced, and consumed around the world. It is a bold step forward, and one that Nollywood and Brazil’s cinematic community are uniquely positioned to lead.
As this partnership begins to unfold, all eyes will be on the filmmakers, producers, and storytellers who now have the opportunity to create across borders and inspire across cultures.
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