Idris Elba, the Golden Globes award-winning actor, has been allocated land in Zanzibar to launch a film studio. Known for his roles in "Luther" and "The Wire," Elba has roots in Sierra Leone and Ghana and has voiced ambitions to develop Africa's film industry.

After discussing his plans with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the authorities in Zanzibar have given the project the green light. The studio, expected to rival those in Hollywood, Nollywood, and Bollywood, may give rise to "Zollywood," according to Zanzibar's investment minister.

President Samia first spoke with Elba about the studio at the World Economic Forum in January 2023, with hopes that the project will benefit not only Tanzania but also eastern and central Africa. Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region known for its striking beaches, is set to become a new hub for African filmmaking.

Elba has also spoken about plans to build a film studio in Ghana, tentatively named West African Studios, aimed at addressing the lack of facilities in the continent's burgeoning film industry. A 2022 Unesco report supports Elba's observations, noting significant growth in production but highlighting issues such as piracy, limited training, and a lack of official film institutions.

Beyond filmmaking, Elba dreams of creating an eco-friendly "smart city" in Sierra Leone, his father's birthplace. He and a childhood friend plan to regenerate an island off the West African country's coast, contributing further to the development of the region.