Media mogul Mo Abudu is bringing her EbonyLife brand to the United Kingdom. The businesswoman has confirmed that EbonyLife Place London will open its doors in October 2026, marking the first cinema in the UK built entirely around African and Black films.
What Mo Abudu Announced
Abudu shared the news on Monday through a video that captured the full transformation of the London property. She acquired the space in March 2025, and the clip showed how far the project has come since then.
In her words, the property started out as little more than an empty shell. She described the original site as dull and, in her own admission, a blank canvas waiting for a new identity.
Fast forward to August 2026, and the transformation tells a different story. The centerpiece of the venue, called the Amani Auditorium, is now almost complete. Abudu said the team went for a vintage inspired look for the cinema hall, giving it a classic yet elegant feel.
More Than Just a Cinema
According to Abudu, the auditorium is only one piece of a much bigger vision. EbonyLife Place London is designed to be a full cultural hub, not just a movie theatre.
She explained that the venue will become the first cinema in the United Kingdom dedicated entirely to African and Black films, while also serving as a space that celebrates African fashion, music, food and art.
The full building will house several distinct spaces. These include:
- The Grand Reception, which will welcome guests into the venue
- The Afrobeat Restaurant, offering African inspired dining
- Fèhintì Lounge, a relaxed social space
- Maji Concession and Bar, for drinks and cinema snacks
- Zuri Retail, a shopping section for African fashion and lifestyle products
- The Living Wall Gallery, a gallery space celebrating African art and culture
- A Bigger Move for the EbonyLife Brand
This London launch pushes the EbonyLife Place brand beyond Nigeria for the first time. EbonyLife Place in Lagos has already built a name for itself as one of the city’s top entertainment and lifestyle destinations, combining cinema, dining and cultural experiences under one roof.
With the London expansion, Abudu is positioning EbonyLife as a global home for African and Black storytelling, giving audiences in the UK a permanent space to experience Nollywood and African cinema on the big screen.
Abudu is the founder of EbonyLife Media, a company that has spent years pushing African stories and talent onto the global stage through film, television and now, physical cultural spaces like EbonyLife Place.
Fans and industry watchers can expect more updates as the October 2026 opening date draws closer.
