The British star could not hide his admiration for Lagos while speaking on the red carpet at the TIFF Tribute Awards in an interview with eTalk TV.

“There are so many memories. Lagos, if you have never been there, is the most amazing place, city in the world. I had a great time. The talent there is incredible,” he said.

Elba recalled that one of the highlights of his experience was watching British singer Seal, whose birth name is Henry Olusegun Samuel, step into an acting role using his native Nigerian accent.

“I got to have Seal acting. He has acted before, but this is one he is acting in his accent. You know, his Nigerian heritage,” he said.

“That was a real blessing. One of the big standout moments is that there is this really amazing song that we wrote for the film, and they performed it at the end of the film. Seal and a lovely artiste called Konstance.”

Source: Vanguard.ng

The visit was initiated by the institute’s Public Relations Department, which aims to foster meaningful stakeholder engagement and build valuable collaborations crucial to advancing UniMAC-IFT’s mission.

The meeting, held at the university, was attended by management and staff, led by the distinguished rector, Professor Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi. The atmosphere was electric, blending admiration, ambition, and the promise of change for the institution.

Elba, known for his towering presence both on screen and in the creative industry, sat attentively as the university presented its rich history, notable achievements, and the pressing infrastructure challenges it continues to face.

He expressed his passion for the creative industry, sharing his mission to uplift aspiring filmmakers and storytellers. Elba also discussed an upcoming studio project—an ambitious initiative designed to provide world-class training opportunities for students around the world. To him, UniMAC-IFT was not just another institution, but a crucial partner in the larger vision of transforming Africa’s film industry into a global storytelling powerhouse.

Then, in a moment that left the room in awe, Elba made a generous pledge. As a gesture of goodwill and commitment to the institution, he announced that his Elba Hope Foundation would donate $25,000 to UniMAC-IFT. The funds, he emphasized, would be directed specifically towards supporting the institution’s infrastructure development, addressing some of the challenges highlighted during the presentation.

The room erupted in thunderous applause as Elba’s words sank in. What had started as a rainy evening had transformed into a night filled with hope and optimism.

The rector, visibly moved by the gesture, expressed profound gratitude, acknowledging that Elba’s contribution would make a tangible difference in UniMAC-IFT’s growth and capacity to train the next generation of filmmakers.

Elba’s visit to UniMAC-IFT was more than just a meeting—it was a beacon of possibility, reinforcing that Africa’s creative future is bright. With the right partnerships, the continent’s film and television industry has the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.

As Elba exited the hall, the rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, almost as if nature itself paused to reflect on the promise made under Accra’s stormy sky—a promise of progress, empowerment, and cinematic excellence.

About the Author

Makida El Husseini is a Level 400 Broadcast Journalism student at the University of Media Arts and Communication.

Below are some photos of his visit:

Photo credit ; Presidency

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Elba, a Golden Globe winner and chairman of the IE7 and The Akuna Group, is joined on the top billing by former Netflix exec and co-founder of Juno Studios, Fiona Lamptey, and Andrew Kofi Egyapa Mercer, Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

The summit will once again take place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

The theme will be “The Relevance of Cinema in African Communities.”

Organizers have said speakers will debate the current surge in local content production and consumption, ways of advocating for cinema investment, and how to reimagine the cinema experiences for Africa’s underserved lower-income audiences.

Representatives from African countries including Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Angola are set to attend alongside executives from throughout the African diaspora and reps from investment bodies including Afreximbank and IFC.

“Africa has been at the forefront of communication and storytelling for centuries, but sadly this innovation and the complex stories originating on the continent have been largely unnoticed,” Elba said in a statement to Deadline this afternoon.

“So, I am thrilled to be part of this year’s Africa Cinema Summit, where the focus will be on how Africans, on the continent and in the diaspora, can propel the cinema and content ecosystem to new heights and bring global awareness to our rich, dynamic, youthful and vibrant Africa.”

The Africa Cinema Summit is organized by National Film Authority execs Tim Yaw Struthers, Moses Babatope, and Funmi Onuma in collaboration with Nile Media Entertainment Group and Silverbird Cinemas.

Last year’s inaugural summit featured representatives from 20 African countries with discussion focused on exploring and tailoring cinematic opportunities to suit the unique characteristics of each geographic location across the continent.

The meeting was the source of multiple strategic gains for the regional industry. Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo pledged to approve a film tax incentive for the Ghanaian film industry. The credit was officially passed a few months later as a 20% tax rebate.

“The only way to grow local content and increase the cinema offerings on the African continent is to work together,” Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, CEO of the National Film Authority of Ghana, told us.

“The sector remains resilient, with local content stepping up in countries like Nigeria to fill content gaps. The continent holds the largest potential market growth for cinema and our work is to make the potential a reality that benefits African communities. I look forward to welcoming our esteemed guests to Accra, Ghana.”

“That part of my family’s history has been erased somewhat,” says Elba.

That helped fuel the actor’s push to narrate and executive produce the four-part National Geographic docuseries “Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color,” which premieres Monday, days ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when the Allies landed on the coast of France, on June 6. Episodes will also later be available on Disney+ and Hulu.

More than 8 million people of color served with the Allies, and the series digs deep to focus on how some fared at D-Day, Dunkirk, Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Bulge.

It tells the story of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only all-Black combat unit to fight on the D-Day beaches, and Force K6, a little-known Indian regiment of mule handlers from the British army trying to evacuate at Dunkirk.

The series uses archival footage, descendant interviews, soldier journals and actor portrayals — a mix that Elba says he found visceral and moving.

“It really did actually impact me just in the narration booth, watching the imagery, looking at the faces, wondering about my own personal connect. Could my grandfather be one of the people in one of the pieces? That was what I thought about. So, it did definitely resonate with me.”

The series also highlights stories like that of Doris Miller, a mess attendant aboard the USS West Virginia who after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor raced to an unattended anti-aircraft gun and fired at the planes until forced to abandon ship.

The non-profit organization, whose objective is to use blockchain to unlock the world’s economic potential by making money more fluid, markets more open, and people more empowered, presented a blockchain-based fintech innovation designed to guarantee fair compensation for participants in the local creative industry, whose works are commercialised globally, and to enhance access to financing for their works (especially for upcoming creators/artists) through smart contracts.

This will address the current challenge of most industry players in Africa being locked out of the global payments ecosystem, leading to gross violations of their Intellectual Properties(IPs) and copyrights, inability to access funding opportunities for growth or worse still realise funds that are legitimately earned via commercial use of their works around the world. 

The discussion also focused on how both parties could explore piloting technology and policy innovation to enhance the IPs and copyrights administration for the benefit of local content creators. 

According to the delegation, it selection of Ghana as a potential pilot country for this innovation was on account of the Bank’s advancement in the area of central bank digital currency (the eCedi) and tokenization more broadly.  

 The Bank of Ghana and the Stellar Development Foundation both expressed their commitment to collaborate on this initiative for the long-term benefit of the creative industry, particularly the youth. 

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The meeting, which took place at the Jubilee House centered on the creative arts economy in Africa and the need to ensure that Ghanaian artistes are integrated into the global financial ecosystem.

Dr. Bawumia lectured on the importance of providing opportunities for Ghanaian creatives to monetize their talents and receive fair compensation for their work, particularly in the international market.

One of the key topics for discussion was the proposed implementation of a new financial system leveraging blockchain technology.

This innovative system aims to empower African artistes by facilitating global payments for their music and arts, regardless of their location or where their work is used commercially.

Dr. Bawumia highlighted Ghana’s advanced digital payments infrastructure as a key factor in the potential success of this initiative.

He expressed confidence that the new system, expected to be launched later this year, will help unlock opportunities for Ghanaian creatives to thrive on the global stage.

The Vice President extended his gratitude to Idris Elba for his dedication to advancing the African creative arts economy.

“This election please let it be peaceful,” he said in a message in Pidgin English.

He reminded young people that they have the “power” in this vote, and that if the country is destroyed due to violence, it will be down to Sierra Leoneans to have to patch it back up again. 

“Not only is the world watching,” he said, but the whole of Africa. 

Saturday’s vote will be the country’s sixth presidential vote since a military takeover in 1992.

It will see the incumbent, President Julius Madaa Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) go up against Dr Samura Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC).

There have been arrests of critical opposition voices in the the run up to the vote. 

Elba’s comments come on the same day that the Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone, led by former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, called for peaceful elections that will reflect the will of the people.

“The eyes of more than 2.5 billion people of the Commonwealth – more than 60% of whom are young people under the age of 30 – will be upon Sierra Leone. Watching, in solidarity and in hope,” Prof. Osinbajo said.

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The actor, who was in Ghana for a documentary on gold, settled for the Ashanti Region, also known as the land of gold.

His work caught the eye of the King of Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who gave him a special invitation to participate in the festival and feast with royalty.

Detailing his experience on the Colbert Late Show, Idris Elba, said the Akwasidae festival and its culture in general was “beautiful and fascinating”.

Unbeknownst of the tradition, Idris arrived at the venue in a pair of jeans, but he was quickly adorned with the rich Kente and ornaments to fit the status quo.

He recounted to the audiences how he was taught to drape the wear over his shoulders, and how he struggled to keep it intact being his first time wearing the traditional garment.

Idris Elba got his audiences oohing and aahing when he described the symbolic meaning of the kente and why it should be draped below the shoulder upon meeting the ruler.

However, the best part for Idris was when he was received with warm reception, and photos which were flooded on social media attest to that fact.

If given a second chance, the biracial West African from Ghana and Sierra Leone would be sighted in next year’s event

Watch video below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Late Show (@colbertlateshow)

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According to the 50-year-old film maker, he is so proud of young Ghanaian actor, Abraham Attah, who starred in the ‘Beast of no Nation’ movie and has now moved on to bigger and better things.

“I shed tears for that movie because that movie is sad and Abraham Attah is incredible. Abraham Attah has now moved on to bigger and better things and I’m so proud of him,” he said.

Speaking on Kumasi-based Opemsuo FM, Idris Elba said his movie in Ghana has made him aware that there are unearthed talents in Africa.

“That movie made me think that there’s a lot more talents whether in Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire or Sierra Leone and that there’s unearthed talent that people need to see on the screens,” he disclosed.

Aside from acting, Elba performs as a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driis or Idris and as an R&B singer.

In 2006, he was named in the Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World.

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I’m the John the Baptist of Ghana music – Rocky Dawuni…

During his visit to the Jubilee House, Elba revealed that he and his partners were making preparations to build a film studio in Ghana and across West Africa.

The actor explained that although a lot can be achieved in the film industry in Africa, the region lacked the required  facilities.

 “Currently, we call it West African Studios, but that’s a working title. We’ve been working on this for three or four years to raise a plan that puts a facility at the centre of African filmmaking. There’s a lot for African filmmaking, but the facilities are lacking.

 “We realised that policy is where the actual groundwork needs to be laid. We’ve studied the models of South Africa, incredible incentive packages, Greece, Morocco and these are all places where they realize the value of the filmmaking and they’ve brought that policy into play.

“National Film Authority has done the work and put together a very comprehensive plan to propel Ghana into the forefront. It needs to be robust and competitive to the rest of the world. We believe for sure that Ghana should step up in terms of attracting those filmmakers. I’ve come and seen you and presented to you essentially, just the parameters of what we need to do.”

President Akufo-Addo assured him that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is developing a policy framework to guide filmmaking in the country.

Barbara Broccoli, with her brother Michael G Wilson, have produced the last nine Bond films including Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

One of the most sought after and iconic roles in cinema is now back up grabs following Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007 in the most recent Bond movie No Time To Die.

Elba, who stars in the crime drama Luther, is often tipped as one of the leading candidates to take over.

The 49-year-old has appeared in several Hollywood movies including Concrete Cowboy, Pacific Rim and Thor: Ragnarok.

Speaking to Deadline’s Crew Call podcast, Broccoli addressed the speculation over who will next play Bond after she was told “a lot of fans want to see Idris Elba in a tuxedo”.

Broccoli, 61, said: “Well, we know Idris, we’re friends with him, and he’s a magnificent actor.

“And, you know, it’s been part of the conversation, but it’s always difficult to have the conversation when you have someone in the seat.

“I think we have decided that until No Time To Die has had its run and Daniel has been able to – well, we’ve all been able to savour, reap the benefits of Daniel’s wonderful tenure, we’re not gonna think about, or talk about anybody else, actors to play the role or storylines, we just want to live in the moment.”

If Elba lands the part he will become the seventh actor to play Bond as part of the franchise – following in the footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Other actors tipped to be the next Bond include Tom Hardy, Richard Madden, and Henry Cavill.

Craig, 53, is seen by some as one of the best Bonds ever.

Talking about his departure, Wilson, 80, told the podcast: “It’s very hard to see him go, he’s a tough act to follow, as they say.

“I think we will have a challenge in trying to continue on but we have set the bar high and I think it is a challenge we will have to face.”

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According to him, it will minimise internet trolls hiding behind fake usernames and private profiles to do harm to others.

He explained that not being verified on social media is tantamount to “boarding a plane and not having to show I.D.”

Read his full statement below:

People in the public eye get verified on social media, (symbolized by a blue tick), the process of verification requires them to prove their Identity, so everyone knows WHO is speaking.

Social media companies should make this mandatory for all users. Currently, social media is like boarding a plane and not having to show I.D.

That would never happen.

If cowards are being supported by a veil of privacy and secrecy, then social media is not a safe space. It is an aeroplane that allows travellers to wear balaclavas.

If cowards want to spout racial rhetoric then say it with your name, not your username.

-IE

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Check out the original post below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Idris Elba (@idriselba)

Meanwhile, lots of people want their social media handles verified for many reasons but there are certain requirements needed before Instagram can add a verified badge to a profile.

For those who want to get their Instagram pages verified, click on this link to find out all you need to know.

The inaugural Africa Day Benefit Concert At Home in 2020 brought African and global superstars together to celebrate Africa Day, and raise funds to support families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s concert will shine the light on Africa’s next wave of talented stars who are making their mark on the global stage.

The global event will stream on YouTube at 7pm CAT/6pmWAT, and on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) at 9pmCAT/8pmWAT.

The virtual concert will be a Pan African event featuring trailblazing African stars from across the continent.

Artistes will perform on multiple stages from Lagos to Johannesburg in an event that will be streamed to a global audience on YouTube, and broadcast on the MTV channels.

“I’m committed to shining a light on African culture, heritage and the arts. During a year when globally we have all had to reflect deeply on our purpose, I’ve taken inspiration from the continent with its diversity of voices, creativity and innovation. Here’s to Africa’s Next Global Wave,” the host, Idris Elba, said.

The concert will shine a light on the strides in innovation by Africans, those who are redefining the narrative of the continent, and the exchange of music, creativity and cultural ideas that are taking the world by storm.

The event will feature some of the most dynamic emerging artists from the diaspora, who will be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the Africa Day concert.

Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at YouTube, said, “we are excited to work with Idris Elba and MTV Base to celebrate Africa Day this year through another powerful concert event.

“With African music continuing to connect and inspire people around the world, the timing is perfect to shine the spotlight on the next wave of African artists that will make a global impact on music and culture.”

Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, added that “the past year has been an unprecedented one for all of us and it is a tremendous inspiration to see how our African artists and Africans on the continent and globally are lighting the way through creativity, collaboration and innovation.”

“MTV through music, culture and active citizenship unifies and strives to mobilise the youth to drive hope and positive change. We are proud to partner with YouTube and Idris Elba for the Africa Day Concert 2021. As ViacomCBS we are committed to unleashing the potential of content.”

The concert will be hosted virtually in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with all safety and social distancing measures observed.

The two Hollywood powerhouse are among some 67 people who have signed the letter in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

In a report by UK-based The Guardian, these influential people including the Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful said they were “deeply disturbed” by the response from some section of the public against the LGBTQ+ community.

In the letter, the group stated that it is “unacceptable” that members of the queer community feel unsafe in the country.

They urged President Akufo-Addo and other advocates to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The group added they were petitioning for inclusivity which will make the nation “even greater and even stronger”.

Excerpt of the letter reads:

“In recent weeks we have watched with profound concern as you have had to question the safety of your vital work at the LGBT+ Rights Ghana Centre in Accra, and feared for your personal wellbeing and security. It is unacceptable to us that you feel unsafe.”

“As prominent and powerful advocates for this great country, we are beseeching His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and political/cultural leaders to create a pathway for allyship, protection and support. We petition for inclusivity which will make the nation even greater and even stronger.”

The past few weeks have been characterised by a plethora of discussions over LGBTQ+ following the opening of the group’s office in Accra.

The development was condemned by many who saw it as subtle enforcement of the group’s activities which they say flies in the face of the country’s laws, culture and beliefs.

The police together with the landlord on February 24 stormed and locked the LGBTQ office at Ashongman in Accra in the wake of public discourse over their operations.

Pro-gay rights activists in the country argued that the law does not explicitly outlaw the act aside from its criminalisation of unnatural carnal knowledge adding that government must protect their interests as citizens.

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Meanwhile, anti-gay rights advocates, National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Value and religious factions such as the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), National Peace Council, National Chief Imam have further advanced arguments for the government to dispel the ambiguity surrounding the laws on sexuality.

President Akufo-Addo on Saturday, February 27, said same-sex marriage will not be legalised under my Presidency.

Speaking at the installation of the 2nd Archbishop of the Anglican Church held in Asante Mampong, he said “I have said it before, and let me stress it again, that it will not be under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal.”

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has cautioned government to not be swayed by what he described as the tyranny of the masses in relation to the protection of minority groups in the country.

Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh said should government allow itself and its power to be deployed by the majority against minority groups, it further marginalises and victimises these minority groups in the country.

The actor, who recently revealed that he and his wife Sabrina, tested positive for the disease, took to his Instagram to rubbish Cardi B’s claim.

I think the negativity around ‘test shaming’ is counter-productive. I don’t see what people get out of that. Also this idea that someone like myself is going to be paid to say I’ve got coronavirus, that’s, like, absolute bulls**t, such stupidness, he said.

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He continued saying:

People want to spread that as if it’s news. It’s stupid [because] It’s the quickest way to get people sick that way. There’s no benefit to me and Sabrina sitting here saying we’ve got it or we ain’t got it. I don’t even understand the logic of that.

Meanwhile, Cardi B, on her Instagram Live, said that the ace celebs who have come out as COVID-19 positive sounded like influencers paid to promote on social media.

Watch the video below:

The Luther star, 47, posted a video on Monday night confirming he has tested positive, but appeared with his model wife in the video, who has not been diagnosed with the virus.

United Kingdom government guidelines advise those who have tested positive should ideally self-quarantine in their home, away from other family members who have not been diagnosed.

Idris took part in a Twitter Live video on Tuesday evening to give his fans an update, 24 hours on from his diagnosis.

The actor reassured fans he is feeling well, explaining: ‘Yesterday was good and bad. Bad because I tested positive, but it was also good because it opened up a lot of conversation around it.

“I think it made it a lot more real for some people. Definitely made it more real for me and my family.

“There was so many positive responses to, you know, me talking about it. Some negative too. But there were some definite positive ones. I certainly felt…my wife and I felt like it was the right thing to do, to share it with you guys,” he added.

“He went on to address the ‘negative’ comments he had received about choosing to be with Sabrina, explaining the couple, who married in 2019, had calculated the risk.

He also explained Sabrina has now been tested. “Sabrina’s good too. Sabrina today finally managed to get a test, and we’re thankful for that. Generally, Sabrina’s fine. Nervous of course. Worried. Just for clarification, Sabrina wanted to be by my side.

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“As much as we talked about her not coming to where I am, she did and wanted to and I love her even more for it and I would do the same for her.

“As much as I wanted her to keep safe, we presumed if I had it, the likelihood she would have it too, we calculated that risk,” he went on.

“When something like this is going on in the world, love is all you can get, who am I to turn down my wife’s support?”

The British actor urged his followers to spread love and advised families to follow guidelines but do what works best for them.

Elsewhere in Tuesday night’s video Idris appeared to confirm he had contracted the virus from Canadian Prime Minister’s wife Justin Trudeau Sophie, 44, after the two met shortly before they both tested positive for COVID-19.

The actor revealed that he was exposed to the deadly disease on 4 March, the same day he posed with Sophie at the We Day UK charity event, in Wembley.

Idris said: ‘It’s hard to say when I got the disease or when I contracted COVID-19, it’s hard to say when. I will say that I know I’ve been exposed to it from March 4.

‘That’s when the person that came up positive, that was the time I got in contact with that person.

‘So essentially, I could have been positive from March 4, but it’s hard to say when I contracted someone with corona, you can contract it at anytime but my known exposure was March 4.’

Idris met Trudeau’s wife Sophie, who has also been tested positive for COVID-19, on 4 March at a We Day UK charity event, in Wembley. 

Posing for photos together at the event, the pair were in close proximity to each other, as well as other celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton, and attendees.

The actor also added in the video: ‘On Friday, last week, I was told that someone I had been in contact with had tested positive.

‘I am on location about to start filming. The news breaks that this person, who is also in the public eye, has tested positive.’ 

Idris then addressed backlash as to why he was tested for COVID-19 after he had ‘no symptoms’ and ‘felt ok’. 

Idris said he was on location and about to start filming, he added: “It was definitely something I had to do as I was about to start filming and be around a lot of people.

“My job made me test immediately, I had to test anyway, as it meant I was putting a lot of people at risk if I had been exposed. We were lucky to get a test very quickly because of the shortages of the test.

“It was the best thing to do, I was going to be around a lot of people starting this film.”

Although the star admitted that he is worried as he suffers from asthma, he added: ‘I have asthma, so I sort of fit into the high category of most at risk.

“I have a respiratory issue and I have had asthma all my life. Catching corona was definitely not on my bucket list at all but even my asthma is OK.

“Of course I’m worried. I’m worried about having the virus, I’m worried about having asthma and how that could make things really complicated for me really quickly.”

He reassured his followers that at present he is feeling fine, explaining: “Right now though, I am feeling okay. Woke up this morning, didn’t have any symptoms. My voice is a little tired…checking my fever twice a day. Feel good, feel okay. Been doing a lot of reading about it. You know, asymptomatic is what comes up,” Idris explained about his status.

Idris revealed he was inspired to share his coronavirus story after fellow actor Tom Hanks also shared that he tested positive for COVID-19.

The British film star landed in the capital Freetown on Wednesday for his first visit to the country.

Elba told the BBC’s Umaru Fofana that citizenship was “the biggest honour I could get from my country.”

“I’m no stranger to Africa: I’ve been in Africa, I’ve made films in Africa, I’ve championed Africa,” he said. “But Sierra Leone, it’s a very different feeling because it’s my parent’s home.”

“The welcome has been incredible, and I’ve plugged straight into that energy that I think Sierra Leone is rising with.

“The son of the soil is coming back to fertilise the soil.”

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‘Disney in Africa’

As part of that commitment, the Avengers actor said that he wanted to invest in developing tourism, but also spoke about boosting the entertainment industry.

“America or England cannot house my ambition. Africa can house my ambition, I can create another Disney here [and] I can’t do that in America,” he said.

Elba was born in London in September 1972. His late father grew up in Sierra Leone, and his mother is from Ghana.

The star, who was named People magazine’s “sexiest man alive” in 2018, is best known for his work in Marvel films, including the Avengers, as well as for the lead role in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

He also starred in a Netflix movie about child soldiers, Beasts of No Nation, which was filmed in Ghana.

Sierra Leone was hit hard by a civil war between 1991 and 2002, and between 2014 and 2016 nearly 4,000 people died in an Ebola outbreak which also damaged the economy.

‘Bright Sierra Leoneans’

Elba said he wanted to help rejuvenate and “rebrand” the country.

He believes that a Sierra Leonen entertainment industry has the potential to tell its own stories to the rest of the world.

“There are a lot of bright kids here who are techno-heads, [they’re] really really smart. I feel like I could contribute to building a workforce that supports other nations in film and that’s part of my journey.”

The passport, Elba told the BBC, would allow him to “come back home as a son of the soil”.