Broadcasting
IFC Partners with Triggerfish to Boost Africa’s Animation Sector
In order to support the growth of Africa’s creative sector and to bring local African stories to the world, IFC has signed a collaboration agreement with Triggerfish, a globally recognized animation studio founded in South Africa.
Triggerfish creates premium animated content for prominent global studios such as BBC, eOne, Lucasfilm, Magic Light Pictures, Netflix, and The Walt Disney Company.
The collaboration agreement will bring IFC’s market expertise to help Triggerfish with its growth strategy so that it can expand its operations, creating new jobs and opportunities in Africa to upskill local talent, particularly for women and youth.
“We are thrilled to be working with Triggerfish to set the stage for a new chapter of growth,” said Makhtar Diop, IFC Managing Director. “This partnership underscores IFC’s commitment to unlock the potential of creative industries and support economic development and job creation in Africa, particularly for women and youth.”
Triggerfish CEO Stuart Forrest said: “At a time when the demand for local African content is booming, this partnership with IFC is a significant step that will propel the growth of the local animation sector and position the industry to reach its true potential.”
The global animation and VFX market was valued at US$ 167.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ 401.0 billion by 2030, according to a study by Report Ocean. The sector in Africa faces problems realizing its potential because of challenges accessing funding, a lack of cutting-edge technology, and limited distribution networks.
The partnership with Triggerfish is another important milestone in IFC’s commitment to support the creative industries sector in emerging markets.
IFC recently signed an agreement with Sony Group Corporation to identify investment opportunities in companies in the creative industries in Africa to support new economic opportunities and create jobs. In June, IFC committed up to $75 million to DNEG, a world-leading visual effects and animation company in India to expand its cutting-edge VFX and animation services.