Nollywood Expands to Qatar as Nile Media Partners with Oryx Group

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Nollywood is making history by expanding into Qatar through a strategic partnership between Nile Media Entertainment Group and Doha-based Oryx Group, opening fresh doors for Nigerian films in the Gulf region. 

The deal was born out of Nile Media’s success in securing international rights for Everybody Loves Jenifa across 28 territories, where streaming data revealed a surprising trend  consistent viewership from Qatar and Oman. According to Aondofa Shija, film business and data strategist at Nile Media, this was the signal the company needed to explore new territories. 

“We wanted to take Nigerian films to as many nations as possible. The Middle East emerged as a key market, especially with Qatar and Oman consistently showing up in our streaming data,” he explained.

Initially, the group encountered challenges when attempting traditional distribution in Qatar, as local cinemas were dominated by Hollywood titles.

 That obstacle, however, inspired an innovative approach. By teaming up with Oryx Group, a Nigerian-founded entertainment powerhouse already licensed to operate in Qatar, Nile Media adopted a new model that prioritizes premium premiere events before potentially transitioning films into regular cinema runs. 

This creative strategy not only sets Nollywood apart but also positions it as a cultural export entering uncharted territory.

The significance of the move extends beyond cinema screens. Qatar has been positioning itself as a hub for global culture since hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and the Gulf region at large has become more welcoming to international entertainment, particularly after Saudi Arabia reopened its cinemas.

 For Nollywood, this marks a chance to build bridges and showcase African storytelling to audiences who are ready for something different.

 “We want to be innovative, to take Nollywood where it hasn’t been before,” Shija added. “Qatar is the first step, but tomorrow it could be Oman, Saudi Arabia, China, or the Caribbean. It’s about proving that African stories resonate everywhere.”

The partnership will launch with the Nollywood film Radio Voice, which will be screened in one of Qatar’s biggest cinema chains. Alongside this, Nile Media and Oryx plan to host cultural events, embassy visits, and networking sessions designed to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Qatar.

 For Nile Media CEO Moses Babatope, this is more than business; it is about cementing Nollywood’s place on the global stage. “Nollywood launching in Qatar goes beyond entering a new market; it is about championing Nigerian culture and affirming the global standing of our market,” he said.

Oryx Group echoed the sentiment, describing the deal as a milestone for both Nollywood and the Nigerian-Qatari relationship. 

“This partnership is a game changer for both Nollywood and the Nigerian-Qatari relationship. It opens doors for cross-cultural storytelling, knowledge exchange, and wider audience reach,” Mr. Famous said on behalf of the company.

While the Qatar launch will serve as a test case, the long-term goal is to expand further across the Gulf Cooperation Council region if successful. Shija admits that the risks are high, but frames them as necessary for the industry’s evolution. 

“Years ago, people doubted Nollywood films could succeed abroad. But the industry evolved, found its audience, and proved the sceptics wrong.

 We believe the same will happen in Qatar.” With this bold step, Nollywood signals its readiness to move beyond familiar markets and embrace its role as a global cultural force.

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