Nigerian film director and media mogul Mo Abudu has opened a unique cultural centre in London, complete with a cinema dedicated to African film and black culture. The centre, called EbonyLife Place London, is located close to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Abudu's media empire, EbonyLife, is a leading player in Nollywood, Nigeria's film industry. The cultural centre is a "mad dream" come true for Abudu, who was born in London and wants to showcase African culture in the British capital.
The EbonyLife Place London cultural centre is a two-storey venue that includes a bar, a lounge, a restaurant, and a boutique showcasing designers from Africa and its diaspora. The centrepiece is a cinema named "Amani", meaning peace and harmony in Swahili, which has been fitted with red seats, wood panelling, and soft lighting. The project was financed almost entirely by Abudu's media group and mirrors the upscale lifestyle complex she launched in Lagos in 2019.
Abudu, who is widely credited with helping usher in the era of Nollywood blockbusters, said African creatives should stop asking others to make room for them and instead "take responsibility for creating our own spaces". She described the centre as a "safe space" where people can shop, view art, listen to music, and tell African stories. The centre will be accessible through a membership scheme, with details to be announced.
The cinema's programme is still being finalised, but Abudu said it will feature films from all parts of Africa, celebrating black actors and storytelling. The centre will showcase its own productions and films with black actors, including the next in the "Black Panther" series. Opening week will feature Nigerian filmmakers, including Nwani Orire and Ifeyinwa Arinze.
Abudu, who was ranked among the world's 100 most influential women by Forbes in 2025, said she wants to showcase the best of African culture and celebrate who Africans are. She recalled that growing up in England, she could never go anywhere and watch a black movie, so she decided to act and create her own space in London.
The cultural centre will have no ethnic or nationality restrictions, with membership open to everyone. Abudu said she would love to collaborate with others and potentially open similar centres in other cities, such as Paris. The centre will also feature paintings by artists from across the continent and a lounge called "Fẹhinti", a Yoruba word meaning to lean back and rest.
The opening of EbonyLife Place London marks a significant milestone in the promotion of African culture in the UK and Europe. Abudu's achievement has been hailed as a major step forward for African creatives, who now have a platform to showcase their work and tell their own stories.
Key points
- Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Place London is the UK's first cinema dedicated to African and black films.
- The cultural centre includes a cinema, bar, lounge, restaurant, and boutique showcasing African designers.
- The centre aims to promote African culture and provide a platform for African creatives to showcase their work.
