Idris Elba is expanding his vision for Africa, blending his passion for empowering the continent with cutting-edge technology. The acclaimed actor and entrepreneur has unveiled Akuna Wallet, a blockchain-powered financial tool aimed at revolutionizing the creative sector in Africa. Ghana, with its rich cultural heritage and creative talent, is the first country to see the launch of this ambitious project.
Teaming up with the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), Elba’s goal is clear: to make international payments more accessible for African creatives. Many artists across the continent face hurdles in receiving global payments due to the lack of foreign bank accounts, high transfer fees, and slow transaction processes. Akuna Wallet aims to remove these barriers.
“The Akuna Wallet is really geared toward the creative sector,” Elba explained in an interview with OkayAfrica. “Being part of the creative industry and working across Africa, I’ve seen how technical, financial solutions can ease the bottlenecks that creatives face. This economy is often overlooked, but it holds incredible potential to drive economic growth.”
Akuna Wallet allows users to receive international payments through a virtual U.S.-based bank account, which can either be held in the wallet or converted to local currency for immediate use. This feature is a game-changer, particularly in regions where access to global banking services is limited. Additionally, the wallet is designed to support a variety of functions beyond payments, including crowdfunding for creative projects, sending money to family, or paying collaborators.
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Denelle Dixon, CEO of SDF, emphasized the simplicity of the platform. “Blockchain provides the underlying technology, but for users, it’s a simple wallet that makes it easy and affordable to get paid. Our focus is on creating economic freedom and opportunity for everyone.”
The launch of Akuna Wallet is part of a larger vision Elba has for Africa. In 2024, he revealed several other Africa-based projects, including plans for an eco-city in Sierra Leone and a film studio in Zanzibar. He stressed that his efforts are interconnected, all aimed at building a sustainable ecosystem for creativity on the continent. “It’s not just about building studios or creating education programs. It’s about creating an environment where creativity can thrive,” Elba explained.
Ghana was a natural first choice for the wallet’s launch. With Elba’s deep personal ties to the country—his mother is Ghanaian—and the collaboration with the Bank of Ghana to ensure regulatory compliance, the platform is set for a successful rollout. “We want to fully understand the system before expanding to other countries,” Elba noted, with further launches planned across Africa in the near future.
With Akuna Wallet, Elba is not only investing in Africa’s creative future but also taking tangible steps toward financial empowerment across the continent. The initiative signals a new era for creatives, where accessing international markets and growing their craft will become much easier.
