Facebook has launched the sixth edition of its pan-African campaign, Made by Africa, Loved by the World: Where Stories Spark Community, with this year’s spotlight firmly on African cinema ahead of Africa Day on 25 May.
The 2026 campaign features a five-part vodcast series highlighting internationally recognised actors and filmmakers from Nigeria and South Africa. The series is hosted by popular African podcasts I Said What I Said from Nigeria and Because We Said So from South Africa.
Speaking about the initiative, Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey at Meta, said, "For six years, Made by Africa has spotlighted talent from across the continent making a mark globally. This year, film takes centre stage. From Nollywood to South African cinema, African stories are reaching audiences worldwide, and Facebook is at the heart of how people come together around cultural moments like these. This campaign backs the filmmakers driving that momentum.”
The campaign showcases the journeys and achievements of five leading African screen stars and creatives.
Among them is Nigerian actress Kehinde Bankole, a two-time Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards winner who has performed at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, voiced Disney’s Iwaju, and featured in productions on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
South African actress Linda Mtoba, known for her roles in Isibaya, The River and BET’s Queendom, also features in the series alongside fellow South African star Nomzamo Mbatha. Mbatha, a TIME100 Next honouree, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, has starred in Coming 2 America and Shaka iLembe while also serving as an executive producer and founder of the Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation.
Nigeria’s Osas Ighodaro, a two-time AMVCA Best Actress winner recognised for The Smart Money Woman and Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, is also part of the campaign. Completing the line-up is actor Tobi Bakre, one of Nollywood’s fast-rising stars, known for Brotherhood and Prime Video’s Gangs of Lagos.
Each vodcast episode explores the featured talents’ creative journeys, international impact and the ways they use Facebook to engage audiences and build communities around African storytelling.
“We're excited about this partnership and the chance to collaborate with Facebook in celebrating Africa Day with other brilliant African creatives. Being able to spotlight creators with global impact feels incredibly special to us, and we look forward to more partnerships and opportunities to champion African creativity,” said FK Abudu and Jola Ayeye of I Said What I Said.
Commenting on the collaboration, Because We Said So hosts Zama Marubelela and Landzy Gama added, "As young African content creators, we’re passionate about celebrating African excellence, identity, and culture through honest and relatable conversations. Having Nomzamo Mbatha and Linda Mtoba on Because We Said So made this collaboration with Meta even more special, as they both continue to represent Africa on a global stage while sharing authentic African stories with the world. We’re excited to amplify these voices and be part of a campaign that celebrates African talent, creativity, and storytelling on a global scale.”
As part of the campaign, Facebook is also expanding its #ShareYourAfrica community challenge, encouraging creators across lifestyle, fashion and dance to use Meta AI tools to celebrate African culture through Reels that showcase traditions, creativity and everyday moments shaping African identity.
Highlights from the vodcast series will be shared on the Meta Africa Facebook page, while full episodes will be available through the I Said What I Said and Because We Said So podcast platforms.
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