Akunna Cook’s Next Narrative Africa Fund puts $50M behind African storytellers at a pivotal moment for global media. As global audiences access more diverse storytelling, ownership of intellectual property now defines long term power in entertainment markets. Cook believes African creators should shape global culture and control the rights tied to their stories.

Akunna Cook’s Transition from Policy to Film

Akunna Cook, a Nigerian American, began her career in the United States Foreign Service. She served in China, South Africa and Baghdad before returning to Washington. There, she focused on U.S.–Africa policy and economic diplomacy. Her introduction to Hollywood came through an Obama era initiative. The program connected policymakers with showrunners to translate complex issues into mainstream television narratives.

Later, under President Biden, Cook pushed for recognition of creative industries within U.S.–Africa policy strategy. That work exposed her to Africa’s expanding media sectors and rising cultural influence. With more than 60 percent of Africans under 25, the continent holds the world’s youngest population. That demographic weight positions Africa to influence media consumption and economic growth in the coming years.

Effecting Narrative Change in Media

After leaving government, Cook launched the Next Narrative Africa Fund as a strategic intervention. The $50 million vehicle combines $40 million in commercial equity with $10 million in nonprofit development funding. The structure targets film and television projects from the continent and its diaspora. Cook designed the model to confront weak development pipelines and limited IP ownership. She also challenges financing systems that sideline African content within global markets. As she has argued, the question centers on who will own African stories when they scale globally.

The fund operates through a two-track structure that begins with early-stage script development. Selected projects then move toward commercial investment and international distribution pathways. During a three-week open call, the team received more than 2,000 submissions. Those applications came from 80 countries across multiple regions. In March, the fund will unveil six to ten projects from that pool.

The Next Narrative Africa Fund Mission

Next Narrative Africa Fund prioritizes stories rooted in African realities and designed for global audiences. The portfolio includes genre films and prestige dramas with commercial ambition. To strengthen local capacity, the fund partners with the Nairobi based HEVA Fund. HEVA has invested in creative enterprises and understands structural barriers facing African creators. These barriers include limited credit access and fragile distribution networks. Through this partnership, the fund supports stronger business infrastructure for filmmakers.

Already, the fund has assembled a 13 member advisory board. The board spans production, finance, technology and talent management expertise. Advisors include Khadija Alami of K Films and Effie T. Brown of Gamechanger Films. Nitin Gajria of Google Publisher Partnerships Asia Pacific also serves on the board. Their collective experience connects institutional capital with African creative ecosystems. This structure signals an intent to compete within mainstream global markets.

The Next Narrative Africa Fund enters the market with urgency and defined strategy. Cook aims to shift how studios engage with African content worldwide. She also seeks stronger negotiating power for African filmmakers within global value chains. If successful, the fund will reshape ownership patterns tied to African storytelling. It will also determine who benefits when those stories travel across borders.