A groundbreaking creative partnership between Sony Group innovative non-profit, Arc & Beyond and AnimaxFYB Studios, is set to reshape the animation landscape in Africa.
With the theme: ‘Creative Co-Creation: Where the Future of Animation Begins’, the partnership, which was forged at the International Trade Fair held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos recently, birthed the TAIDO Project, a platform designed to nurture and elevate animation talent across Africa.
The TAIDO Project marks a historic partnership between Japan and Africa, aimed at mentoring emerging animators, strengthening production capacity, and creating original African animated content for global distribution.
Arc & Beyond, the Sony-backed non-profit driving the initiative, is focused on solving global challenges through creative collaboration. According to Miyuki Kitabatake of Arc & Beyond, the organisation is seeking new creative ecosystems as Japan grapples with a declining population and a shrinking pool of animation professionals.
“Japan has a huge animation industry, but fewer animators,” she said. “We want to continue producing world-class animation, and that means looking outward. Africa is rich with talented creators and powerful stories waiting to be told. That is why we are here, to co-create.”
Kitabatake stressed that the partnership is not about importing Japanese animation, but nurturing original African stories and ensuring African studios hold ownership of their narratives. “We don’t want to make ‘Japanese-style’ animation. We want to support authentic African stories, created by African studios, and bring new artistic voices to the world,” she emphasized.
Francis Y. Brown, Founder and Creative Director of AnimaxFYB Studios, one of Africa’s leading animation companies based in Accra, Ghana, described the partnership as a strategic moment for Africa’s animation ecosystem. He said: “This collaboration is a game changer. We’re not just receiving support; we’re building capacity. We’re learning production pipelines, distribution strategies, and how to create content that competes globally.”
Brown noted further that while Africa is flourishing creatively, it lags severely in revenue generation within the global animation market.
“In 2023, the global animation industry generated over $300 billion. Africa contributed $15.5 billion, but none of that stayed here. We are consuming, not earning. Through TAIDO, we aim to bridge that gap,” he declared.
Brown emphasised that one of the biggest benefits of the project is ownership: African creators will retain the intellectual property (IP) rights to their works.
“This collaboration allows us to keep our ideas and control our projects,” he said. “We are creating for the world, but the ownership stays here.”
For Nigerian animator and producer, Ruth Ojouboh, the project is arriving at exactly the right time. “The biggest challenge in Africa’s animation industry is funding,” she said. “Talents are being developed, but without support they leave, often due to what we now call the ‘Japa’ syndrome.”
Ojouboh stressed that when international collaborations develop African talent but remove the work from the continent, Africa benefits little.
“This project is different,” she said. “We keep 100% of our IP. Our stories will be made here, by us, this allows the industry to grow, not drain.”
The animator also called on African governments to get involved. “These collaborations are great, but government support is essential. Policy, funding, infrastructure, they will help us grow faster and go further,” she stated.
The TAIDO Project is structured as both a creative incubator and a collaborative production pipeline. Selected African animators will receive mentorship, technical support, training, and co-production opportunities with Japanese professionals.
Kitabatake reinforced that Arc & Beyond intends to invest not only in projects, but also in long-term growth. “We’re here to share experience, market access, and resources. We want to build a system that lasts. Together, we will bring a new kind of animation into the world,” she said.