Abuja Studio Trains 500 Africans in AI Filmmaking

Sandra Adeyeye Bello believes that artificial intelligence won't steal African stories. Instead, she's betting it will finally let Africans tell them on their own terms.

The founder of SAB Studios Nigeria launched her Abuja-based creative studio in March 2025 with a simple mission: train African creators to use AI filmmaking tools so they can produce content without traditional gatekeepers. Today, her AI Filmmakers Network has grown to over 500 creators across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and South Africa.

"AI does not tell stories on its own," Bello told TechCabal. "It's a tool. The storyteller is still the human being using it."

Her team uses tools like OpenAI's Sora 2, Google's Veo 3, and other AI platforms to create everything from music videos to documentaries. But they're not just making content for foreign platforms. They're building something bigger.

For decades, African filmmakers faced the same problem: even when they controlled the cameras, they didn't control the budgets, distribution channels, or revenue streams. Nollywood changed some of that, producing over 2,500 films annually and normalizing African faces and stories on screen. But visibility isn't the same as ownership.

SAB Studios represents what Bello calls "the next layer." With AI, production costs drop dramatically. A creator can film on a smartphone, enhance it with AI tools, and publish directly to a global audience without navigating traditional gatekeepers.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends beyond individual creators. As Africa's AI market races toward $16.5 billion by 2030, SAB Studios is positioning African storytellers at the center of that growth rather than on the sidelines.

When Bello reaches out to AI platforms, she often finds teams who know little about Africa beyond stereotypes. "We are the ones telling them our story," she said. "When they see that we have 500 African creators, weekly challenges, and a film festival, they are baffled."

The studio operates on three pillars: training creators through workshops and challenges, showcasing their work through festivals and exhibitions, and building sustainable funding models. The long-term goal is a local monetization platform where African brands can connect directly with African creators, keeping revenue on the continent.

Bello compares AI tools to a pen. "Have you ever worried that because you didn't manufacture the pen, it won't write what you want?" The tool is neutral. What matters is who wields it and with what intent.

As AI reshapes global filmmaking, SAB Studios is ensuring African creators aren't just part of the conversation but leading it.