Inside the creative powerhouse that is WEBEK Studios, two visionaries are rewriting the rules of African storytelling. Meet Esse Akwawa and Edith Nwekenta – the dynamic duo whose partnership is reshaping how African narratives reach global audiences.
As CEO and Co-founder of WEBEK Studios, Esse brings over a decade of industry muscle to the table. Before WEBEK, she headed Accelerate Studios, where she produced the headline-grabbing documentary “The Decolonisation of Africa” featuring former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo – just one highlight in a resume packed with titles now streaming on major platforms.
Beside her is Edith, the award-winning Producer and Creative Director whose journey through BBC, Channel 4, and MTV Base laid the groundwork for her current role steering WEBEK‘s creative vision. With her film “The Screen Test” currently making waves on the festival circuit, Edith’s storytelling instincts have proven razor-sharp.
Their partnership feels less like a traditional business relationship and more like a creative marriage – complementary strengths aligned toward a shared vision. Where Esse excels at forging strategic partnerships and business development, Edith brings the nuanced understanding of craft that comes from 15 years behind the camera.
Together, they’ve built WEBEK into what it is today: a content studio with one foot firmly planted in Nigeria’s rich cultural soil and the other stepping confidently onto the global stage.
Esse Akwawa and Edith Nwekenta share more than impressive résumés – they also share a mission to ensure African stories are told with authenticity, nuance, and the production value they deserve.
You both come from established media backgrounds before WEBEK. What was the moment you realized you needed to create your own studio?
For both of us, the decision to create Webek Studios was driven by a shared vision to redefine African storytelling on a global scale. We had both worked in the media industry for years and saw firsthand the challenges, lack of story development, limited funding, distribution bottlenecks, and most importantly, the lack of true collaboration and partnership within the Nigerian film industry.
Webek was born out of collaboration and partnership, and that remains at the heart of everything we do. We realized that to push boundaries, elevate the quality of our productions, and expand our global reach, we had to create a studio built on strategic alliances. That’s the narrative we are committed to changing by fostering a culture where creatives, investors, and industry stakeholders work together to produce world-class content.
Building Webek wasn’t just about having our own company, it was about creating an ecosystem where great stories thrive through the power of collaboration.
How do you balance creating content that speaks to both Nigerian audiences and international viewers? At WEBEK Studios, we tell stories that stay true to African culture while exploring universal themes that resonate globally. By focusing on authentic storytelling, strategic collaborations and high-quality productions, we showcase the richness of African experiences in ways that resonate both locally and globally. By highlighting diverse voices and challenging stereotypes, we ensure that African stories are not only celebrated in Nigeria but also make a lasting impact on the global stage.
Esse, from heading Accelerate Studios to co-founding WEBEK, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve carried forward?
The biggest lesson I’ve carried forward is the power of strategic collaboration. At Accelerate Studios, I saw firsthand how the right partnerships can elevate storytelling, amplify reach, and create impactful content. Now, with Webek Studios, that lesson is even more critical. We are building a global brand, and success hinges on working with the right people, whether it’s talent, distribution partners, or creatives who align with our vision of producing world-class content. Content is king, but collaboration is the key to making it reign.
Edith, as someone who’s worked across UK and Nigerian productions, what differences in storytelling approaches have you noticed, and how does that inform your work?
The storytelling approaches in UK and Nigerian productions differ in structure, pacing, and audience engagement. In the UK, there is a strong emphasis on tight script development, subtle storytelling, and layered character arcs, often following structured formats with detailed pre-production planning. In contrast, Nigerian productions tend to be more vibrant, emotionally expressive, and culturally rich, with a strong focus on relatable narratives that deeply connect with the audience.
Working across both industries helps me blend structure and quality from the UK with the authenticity and depth of Nigerian storytelling, making our stories globally relevant yet deeply African.
Many studios talk about “authentic African stories” – what does authenticity actually mean to you in the context of WEBEK?
For WEBEK, authentic African stories mean stories that truly reflect African culture, experiences, and perspectives without being altered to fit external expectations. It’s about telling stories from our own voices, staying true to our traditions, languages, and everyday realities, while also showing the diversity within Africa. Authenticity means avoiding stereotypes and instead creating rich, relatable characters and narratives that Africans can see themselves in, while also connecting with global audiences.
Edith, You’ve worked across various platforms like Channel 4, BBC, and MTV Base, what lessons from these established institutions do you hope to apply at WEBEK Studios?
Working with Channel 4, BBC, and MTV Base taught me the importance of strong storytelling, high production standards, and engaging audiences. These platforms emphasize well-structured scripts, attention to detail, and originality, which I bring to WEBEK. I also learned how to create stories that connect with different audiences while staying true to their message.
At WEBEK, I apply these lessons by ensuring our content is well-crafted, visually strong, and globally relevant, while keeping African voices at the center. We focus on high-quality production and meaningful representation, making sure African stories resonate both locally and worldwide.
Edith, between writing, producing, and directing, which part of the creative process brings you the most joy, and why?
Each part of the creative process is fulfilling in its own way, but directing brings me the most joy. It is where I get to bring stories to life, shaping performances, visuals, and emotions to create something truly impactful. Being on set is one of my happy places, working with actors and crew, and seeing a vision come together is an incredible experience. It is the moment when ideas on a script transform into something real, and that creative energy is what excites me the most.
Esse, you worked with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on a documentary. What was the most challenging aspect of bringing such a high-profile project to life?
Bringing The Decolonisation of Africa to life was an incredible journey, but the biggest challenge was securing access to the prominent figures who shaped the continent’s history. Coordinating with leaders like former President Joaquim Chissano and the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi was no small feat. Their time is precious, and their stories are deeply personal, so ensuring their participation required persistence and diplomacy. Thankfully, President Obasanjo’s team played a crucial role in facilitating these connections.
Beyond that, the sheer scale of the project spanning two years of research, interviews, and production demanded unwavering dedication. But in the end, we are all immensely proud of the documentary. It’s more than just a film, it’s a vital historical record of Africa’s fight for self-determination.
Esse, beyond traditional film and TV, how is WEBEK approaching emerging platforms like short-form content or interactive storytelling?
At Webek Studios, we are always looking ahead to where storytelling is going. While our primary focus remains on film, television, documentary and lifestyle content, we recognize the growing impact of emerging platforms. Interactive storytelling, audience-driven narratives, and immersive experiences are areas we’re exploring to keep audiences engaged in new ways.
Short-form content is also on our radar. While it’s not our primary focus at the moment, we see its potential and plan to strategically invest in it soon. Our approach is to ensure that, whether through traditional or digital-first formats, Webek continues to create high-quality, compelling stories that resonate globally.
The Importance of collaboration for individual and collective progress cannot be overemphasised. How do you navigate creative differences when they arise?
Collaboration is key in any creative process, but differences are bound to happen. When they do, I focus on listening first, understanding where each person is coming from. I believe the best ideas come from open discussions, so I try to find common ground while staying true to the project’s vision. If needed, I step back, look at the bigger picture, and ask, “What serves the story best?” At the end of the day, it’s about respect, flexibility, and knowing that great work comes from a mix of perspectives.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for African cinema and television in the next decade, and WEBEK’s role in that future?
I see African cinema and television becoming a major force globally, with our stories not just being seen but truly celebrated. In the next decade, I believe we’ll see more African-led productions, international collaborations, and diverse narratives that break stereotypes and showcase the continent’s depth and creativity.
WEBEK’s role in this future is to drive high-quality storytelling, supporting African talent, and creating content that speaks to both local and global audiences. Our goal is to bridge the gap between African creatives and the world, making sure our voices are heard, our culture is authentically represented and our stories leave a lasting impact.
| Connect With Esse Akwawa and Edith Nwekenta |
| Esse on Instagram – @Esserocks Edith on Instagram – @EdithNwekenta Webek on Instagram – @WebekStudios_ng www.webekstudios.com |
