Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Francis Y. Brown and officials in a group photograph
Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AnimaxFYB Studios, Francis Y. Brown, has disclosed that Ghana’s animation sector is gaining global recognition as industry leaders push to position the country as a major hub for digital storytelling and creative innovation in Africa.
He indicated that for AnimaxFYB Studios, they are focusing on intellectual property development, distribution, training and international collaborations to develop world-class African animators and storytellers capable of competing globally.
This desire to position the studio for global opportunities is as a result of the global animation market valued at about $436 billion in 2024. And is projected to grow significantly to nearly $895 billion by 2034, driven by streaming platforms, video games, artificial intelligence, virtual production and educational media.
He made this statement during a press briefing held by AnimaxFYB Studios to announce the outcomes of its recent high-level industry engagements in Tokyo, Japan, and to unveil the next phase of collaboration between the African and Japanese animation industries.
He added that the wider media and entertainment industry is also expected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2029, with animation playing a major role in that growth.
”Countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, France, Canada and China currently dominate the industry, exporting cultural content through films, television series, games, merchandise and theme parks.
Companies like Walt Disney, he noted, have demonstrated how a single animated character can grow into a multi-billion-dollar global franchise.
Speaking on the creative economy and the growth of AnimaxFYB Studios, he explained that the African animation industry is also expanding rapidly. The market on the continent was valued at approximately $15.7 billion in 2025, supported by Africa’s youthful population, expanding digital economy and growing global demand for African stories.
”Africa possesses vast storytelling potential rooted in its mythology, folklore, history and futuristic imagination, which remain largely untapped globally,” he stated.
”Through partnerships facilitated by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Ghana, the studio participated in the TAIDO project, collaborating with Japanese institutions including Kyoto University of the Arts and Tokyo Broadcasting System Television,” he said.
Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, in his speech, said Africa is home to a rich tradition of storytelling and countless young creators full of potential, noting that Onyankopon, an important character in the popular Japanese series ‘Attack on Titan’, is derived from the sky god of Ghana, while AnimaxFYB Studio is already an internationally leading example of such talent.
He explained that although Africa has many talented creators, limited opportunities and the relatively small size of the animation industry remain major challenges. He said the “TAIDO Project seeks to promote African cultures and stories globally while supporting the growth of the animation industry and creating employment opportunities.”
By Janet Odei Amponsah