Mo Abudu: Bridging African Cinema to the World

Mo Abudu is the powerhouse behind EbonyLife Group. She is often called “Africa’s Oprah.” She is once again changing the narrative of African storytelling. From Lagos to London, her bold vision is creating new frontiers for African cinema, culture, and entrepreneurship.

EbonyLife Place London was established and is home to the first dedicated African cinema in the United Kingdom. Abudu continues her mission to spotlight Africa’s creativity on a world stage.

From Lagos to the World: The Legacy of EbonyLife Cinema

from lagos to the world: the legacy of ebonylife cinema

EbonyLife Cinema stands in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos. It is a luxurious film hub nestled within the award-winning EbonyLife Place. This spot is a one-stop destination for film, food, art, and culture.

Abudu founded the Lagos cinema under EbonyLife Group. It redefined the movie experience with its elegant ambiance. The high-quality projection systems and curated African film selections also contributed to this redefinition. The venue features a four-screen multiplex and fine dining at Turaka. It also hosts art exhibitions and red-carpet premieres. Because of these attractions, the venue has become Nigeria’s premium entertainment hotspot.

What began as a bold concept in Lagos soon turned into a continental movement. It became a call to redefine what it means to experience African film and luxury under one roof.

introducing ebonylife place london: africa meets the west end

Now, that same vision is crossing oceans. In Q4 2025, Mo Abudu will open EbonyLife Place London. It will be a multi-level creative hub located on Wandsworth Road. It will be just minutes from London’s West End and the new U.S. Embassy.

The centerpiece? A 180-seat cinema solely dedicated to African and diaspora storytelling, the first of its kind in London.

Beyond the screen, the complex will feature:

Turaka London, an Afro-fusion restaurant offering authentic Nigerian flavors. An art gallery and fashion retail space showcasing African designers and visual artists. Performance and masterclass studios for emerging African creatives. Networking lounges designed for film, music, and cultural collaborations. This expansion builds on the success of the Lagos model, merging entertainment, culture, and entrepreneurship to elevate African content globally.

why it matters

1. Representation at Its Finest

For decades, African cinema was underrepresented in mainstream global markets. EbonyLife Place London will change that. It offers African filmmakers a dedicated venue. Here, their stories are not “foreign films,” but feature attractions.

2. A Bridge Between Continents

The hub creates a tangible link between Africa and its diaspora. It’s a meeting point for creatives, investors, and audiences seeking authentic African narratives.

3. Economic and Cultural Impact

By establishing a sustainable African cinema ecosystem abroad, EbonyLife strengthens Africa’s creative economy. It also signals confidence in African content as commercially viable and globally resonant.

the numbers behind the vision

EbonyLife Place (Lagos): It has 4 luxury cinema screens and receives over 1,000 monthly visitors. It was named among Nigeria’s highest-grossing boutique cinemas in 2024. It is home to numerous Nollywood red-carpet premieres. EbonyLife Place London (Launching Q4 2025): It will feature a 180-seat cinema hall. The venue will be multi-purpose and creative. The estimated investment is over £3 million. The venue is expected to create over 50 creative industry jobs locally.

mo abudu’s broader mission

Abudu’s vision goes beyond cinema. Through EbonyLife Group, she has formed global partnerships with Netflix, Sony Pictures, and BBC Studios. She has also partnered with AMC Networks. These efforts put African stories in the international spotlight. Her consistent message: “Africa’s time is now – and we must own our narratives.”

The London project, she says, will showcase African talent. It will also serve as a business case for how African media can thrive globally. This can be achieved through strategic investment, storytelling excellence, and cultural authenticity.

a defining moment for african storytelling

From EbonyLife Cinema Lagos to EbonyLife Place London, Mo Abudu is proving that Africa’s creative power knows no borders. Her work exemplifies what Made in Africa truly stands for, innovation, resilience, and global relevance. The arrival of EbonyLife Place London signifies more than an expansion. It’s the birth of a global network. This positions African cinema where it belongs, at the heart of world culture.