From Global Voice

The Francophone film industry has experienced a nice boost recently thanks to the success of a few recent films, including “Timbuktu” by Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako and the Malagasy documentary “Ady Gasy“. Other successful projects have showcased the undeniable growth of the sector in the region: “Les Chevaux de Dieu” (God’s horses) from Morocco, “La Pirogue” (The Boat) from  Senegal, “The River” from Algeria and “Angano Angano” from Madagascar.

While the France-based film industry is having a hard time finding prosperity worldwide, the African continent may turn out to be its saving grace. In fact, that observation could be expanded to the entire French media industry. Still, while the continent is a land of growing opportunities for the sector, the media market still has a few shortcomings that hinder its development.

The promised land for Francophone media

By 2050, an estimated 85% of French speakers will reside in Africa. Africa is home to a very young population with a growing enthusiasm for screens. French media producers quickly understood the potential for success in this market, one where almost everything is still in need of structure from a communication technology standpoint: The continent is still lacking a solid legal structure in information technology (World Bank report PDF) and needs to grow its Internet network (PDF ITU report) in order to provide fast connections to its growing middle class.

French media producers realized the potential as early as the 2000s and have tried to develop the market. Several collaborations emerged between French channels TV5 and CanalSat and West African TV channels. Following the steps of these pioneers, other French TV networks such as the music channel Trace TV decided to install a local agency in the region. That decision proved to be judicious for Trace TV as Africa represents one-third of its turnover today. Trace TV is even looking into expanding its network into mobile phone and radio.

Read more at Global Voices