African Stories, Global Stage: Our Hangout with Wharton Lauder

Storytelling isn’t just about entertainment. In Africa, it’s about reshaping how the world knows us. At Anakle Films, we’re standing on business and telling stories that take charge of the narrative.

So back in 2024, when Dr. Kanyinsola Obayan Arigi and her PhD students from the Wharton Lauder Institute’s Africa Program pulled up in Lagos, we knew it was going to be a good one. Their Africa Immersion Tour was all about exploring how the continent is shaping the future of business and culture, and they made sure Anakle Films was on the list.

Now, you already know we had to talk about The Black Book. With over 28 million views on Netflix, more than 1,200 jobs created between Kaduna and Lagos, and a $1 million budget with 97% spent right here in Nigeria, the film has been doing more than numbers. It’s proof of what happens when Africans tell our own stories, our own way.

The energy in the room was right. We shared how the film wasn’t just about what showed up on screen. It was about community, culture, and economic growth. The message was clear: African films aim to influence perception, shape ideology, and open doors in the global economy.

Recap video

A Conversation That Mattered

What made the session special was how natural it felt. Instead of a formal presentation, it became a tossing of ideas. The students wanted to know how films like The Black Book come together, what the business of African storytelling looks like, and how a creative vision can thrive in today’s fast-changing media space. You know, the good stuff.

We explored as much as we could, from entrepreneurship and investment to cultural diplomacy and the soft power of storytelling. At a time when streaming platforms were grabbing all the headlines, this discussion went deeper, about the importance of authentic voices and stories told on African terms.

Why Anakle Films, Why Now?

Did you know that Africa’s film and audiovisual industries already contribute about $5 billion to the continent’s GDP and provide work for around 5 million people? Well, the potential is even greater. With the right support, the sector could quadruple employment and generate $20 billion annually.

That’s the future that the Wharton Lauder Africa Program was preparing its students to navigate. By meeting with creatives and businesses across Africa, including us here in Lagos, they got to see firsthand how Global Africa is shaping culture, business, and innovation.

We created a space where culture, creativity, and business met. Together we explored how values influence negotiation, how storytelling drives economies, and how African films bridge the local and the global in powerful ways.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Hosting the Wharton Lauder team was a meaningful moment for Anakle Films. It reminded us that while our stories begin here, their reach is worldwide.

From Kaduna to Kings Cross, from Lagos to Wharton Lauder, African storytelling continues to travel, connect, and inspire.

And in a world hungry for meaning and originality, Anakle Films isn’t waiting for permission. We’re building futures, one African story at a time.