United International Pictures, the international distribution company representing Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures, has officially appointed Nile Entertainment as its theatrical distribution partner for West Africa.
The announcement marks a significant development in the region’s cinema landscape, positioning Nile Entertainment as the company responsible for the theatrical rollout of major Hollywood titles across key West African territories.
United International Pictures, which handles international distribution for two of the world’s most established studios, continues to expand its footprint in emerging markets through strategic local partnerships. By aligning with Nile Entertainment, the company is strengthening its operational structure in West Africa, a region that has demonstrated sustained audience growth and increasing cinema infrastructure investment over the past decade.
Nile Entertainment has built a reputation as one of the leading film distribution companies operating within the Nigerian and broader West African market. The company has consistently handled high-performing theatrical releases and has developed working relationships with cinema chains, exhibitors, and promotional networks across the region. This new mandate consolidates its role within the premium studio distribution segment.
Under the partnership, Nile Entertainment will oversee theatrical distribution activities, including release scheduling, marketing coordination, exhibitor engagement, and territory-specific promotional execution for Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures titles across West Africa. The collaboration is expected to improve operational efficiency, streamline release strategies, and strengthen box office performance within the territory.
West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, remains one of the most commercially active cinema markets on the continent. The appointment reflects a broader industry trend in which major global studios rely on experienced local distributors to navigate regional audience behavior, regulatory environments, and exhibition dynamics.
For exhibitors and cinema operators in the region, the partnership signals continuity in access to global studio content while reinforcing structured distribution processes. For audiences, it ensures that blockbuster releases from Universal and Paramount will continue to reach West African screens through an established and locally embedded distribution network.
The move further underscores West Africa’s strategic importance within the global theatrical value chain and highlights the increasing sophistication of its film distribution ecosystem.
