Ruth Kadiri Brings Nollywood Power to Cape Town’s Fame Week Africa

By: Venecia Valentine

South Africa is rolling out the red carpet for Nollywood royalty. Popular Nigerian actress, filmmaker, and digital trailblazer Ruth Kadiri is in Cape Town this week as a guest speaker at Fame Week Africa 2025, where she is championing African storytelling on a global stage.

“I Just Want to Tell Our Stories, Our Way”

Kadiri’s career is built on authenticity and impact. Speaking to Inbound SA, she said:

“I’ve always believed that our stories matter. They deserve to be told with truth, with heart, and with pride.”
At Fame Week Africa, she will participate in multiple sessions, including “Africa’s Take on Digital Media”, “She Who Tells the African Story: Women Reshaping Film and TV”, and “From Script to Scene: Nollywood Powerhouse.” For her, the event is more than a speaking opportunity — it’s a chance to shift the global narrative around African film.

Nollywood Innovator and Digital Pioneer

At the helm of Ruth Kadiri Films and the RuthKadiri247 YouTube channel, Kadiri has redefined how African films reach audiences. With over 436 million views and 4.5 million subscribers across English and French channels, she is Nigeria’s No. 1 YouTube filmmaker. Her digital-first model is disrupting traditional film distribution, proving that African stories can thrive in online spaces.

“When I started my YouTube channel, people were skeptical. But I saw it as an opportunity to connect directly with people. Today, that connection is everything.”

Breaking Barriers on the Global Stage

Kadiri’s film Alaye premiered on Prime Video in July 2024, marking her global streaming debut. The film’s themes of family, resilience, and love resonated across borders, bridging cultures while staying unapologetically African. Despite her success, Kadiri remains focused on authenticity:

“At the end of the day, I want to make films that feel true to who we are. That honour our culture, our struggles, and our joys. Because if we don’t tell these stories, who will?”

A Woman Shaping Africa’s Film Future

From the lecture halls of the University of Lagos to global streaming platforms, Ruth Kadiri has emerged as more than just an actress. She is a storyteller, a disruptor, and a mentor for the next generation of African creatives. Her presence at Fame Week Africa is a reminder that Nollywood is not just participating in global film — it is shaping it.