Mo Abudu Opens 160-Seat Cinema in London to Showcase African and Black Films

Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu has officially opened EbonyLife Place London, a new cultural and entertainment destination featuring a 160-seat cinema dedicated to African and Black films.

The venue was unveiled on October 8, 2026, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan attending the opening. Located on Wandsworth Road in south London, the centre is designed to bring African storytelling, fashion, music, art and food to a wider international audience.

A permanent London home for African cinema

At the heart of the new destination is the Amani Auditorium, a 160-seat cinema that will screen Nollywood productions alongside films from other African countries and the wider Black diaspora.

According to reports, the venue is billed as the UK’s first cinema dedicated exclusively to African and Black films. Its year-round programme is expected to include film screenings, premieres, industry discussions, masterclasses and live performances.

Abudu has said the project is intended to give African creatives a dedicated space to share their stories rather than depend entirely on other platforms to showcase their work.

“I’m not waiting anymore for anyone to take a six-hour trip from London to understand what it is to watch a Nigerian film,” she told AFP, explaining why she wanted to bring the experience directly to audiences in the British capital.

More than a cinema: A showcase for African culture

EbonyLife Place London extends beyond film screenings. The facility also includes a restaurant, bar, lounge, retail boutique featuring African and diaspora designers, and an art gallery showcasing works by African artists.

The project was financed almost entirely by Abudu’s EbonyLife Group and follows the model of EbonyLife Place in Lagos, which opened in 2019 as a lifestyle and entertainment destination.

The London centre is intended to welcome everyone, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. Its programme will include films from across Africa, alongside productions featuring Black actors and stories from the wider diaspora.

Mo Abudu expands her influence beyond Nollywood

Abudu, founder of EbonyLife, has spent years developing film and television projects that bring African stories to international audiences. The London opening represents another step in that ambition, moving beyond film production and distribution to establish a physical venue where African creativity can be experienced throughout the year.

The centre also creates a potential meeting point for filmmakers, actors, designers and other creatives working across Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the wider African diaspora.

For Nollywood, the project offers a dedicated London location for screenings and industry events, potentially giving African filmmakers another route to reach international audiences. Its long-term impact will depend on programming, audience participation and the sustainability of the venue.