Nigeria’s film industy produces 50 titles a week.  Most go stragiht to DVD and sell on the streets. What’s called Nollywood is a big business. It contributes about 1.2% to Nigeria’s GDP.  It employs about a million people.  Filmmakers complain that poor regulation of the street markets leaves films open to piracy, and unregulated sales means money for the films doesnt’t reach their pockets.

Most movies are filmed in ten days and seldom cost more than$40,000 to produce.  To improve content and export the films, better quality is necessary.  But that’s difficult with current budgets.  If they can get more money for films, Nollywood will explode.

Jason Njoku founded the first online streaming firm IROKOTV and pays from $8000 to $25000 for limited rights.  Some filmmakers now sell to several online platforms.  Nigerian films are going international. Will this be Bollywood redux?  Nigerian filmmakers are hoping Yes.