On January 30, 2026, a room in Lagos held more than just a formal signing ceremony, it held the future of countless Nigerian storytellers. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has officially joined hands with Terra Kulture in a partnership that recognizes that our culture is our greatest currency.

Beyond the Boardroom: It’s About People

While the technical term is a “mandate partnership,” what it really means is a commitment to the young people and women who are the pulse of our creative industry. This collaboration is built on the belief that a script, a painting, or a stage play is more than just art, it is a pathway to a job, a business, and a sustainable livelihood.

The IFC isn’t just investing in “infrastructure”; they are investing in:

• Professionalizing Dreams: Turning passion into stable careers for young Nigerians through industry-relevant skills and training.

• A Better Home for Talent: Refurbishing our facilities in Lagos to ensure that every writer, actor, and technician has a world-class space to create.

• Inclusive Growth: Creating meaningful opportunities for women and youth to participate in and lead our economy.

Twenty Years of Telling Our Stories

For over two decades, Terra Kulture has been an incubator, a place where Nigerian languages are preserved and where icons like Burna Boy and Fela’s story have found a home. As Ethiopis Tafara, IFC Vice President for Africa, noted, it is these “locally rooted creative institutions” that drive true transformation.

Our founder, Bolanle Austen-Peters, often says that we are moving from “passion-driven to industry-driven”. This partnership with the IFC proves that the world is finally seeing what we’ve always known: African stories, told from an African perspective, have the power to change the world.

What This Means for You

Whether you are a student at Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), a regular in our theater, or an emerging entrepreneur, this leap is for you. We are building a vibrant creative scene where Nigerian stories can be developed, produced, and shared globally.

This isn’t just a win for a company; it’s a win for the culture. We are excited to walk this path with the IFC, ensuring that our creative capital remains our country’s strongest asset.