Nigerian media entrepreneur Mo Abudu has opened a permanent cinema in London dedicated to African and Black films, seeking to expand the visibility of stories from a continent she says remains underrepresented.

Abudu said the venue would give African filmmakers a dedicated platform to tell their stories and allow audiences to engage with the continent beyond stereotypes.

Speaking to BBC Africa in an interview published on Friday, she said the cinema was intended to help address racism by changing how Africa and its people are portrayed.

“The only way to deal with racism is to deal with racism, and it’s by providing a different narrative,” she said.

The cinema will also showcase African food and fashion, extending its role beyond film screenings to other aspects of Black cultural expression.

Abudu said the decision to establish a dedicated space was driven by the limited representation of African and Black content, rather than a desire to exclude such productions from mainstream platforms.

“It’s not to say that Black and African films can’t sit on other platforms, but I think predominantly because we’re so underrepresented, we need to create spaces where we feel safe and where our content can be shared amongst us,” she said.

She added that the venue would welcome audiences from outside the Black community, describing ownership of the narrative as essential to reaching a wider public.

Abudu also reflected on growing up in England, where she often felt expected to represent Nigeria and Africa in conversations with people unfamiliar with the continent.

She said she frequently encountered uninformed questions and remarks, which she and others would sometimes endure without responding.

The London cinema adds a physical exhibition space to efforts to increase the international reach of African films, which have also gained audiences through streaming services and international film festivals.

She said the aim was not to isolate Black and African films but to create a permanent home for their exhibition while inviting the wider public to experience the work.