FOR those whose jaws dropped when actor and filmmaker Lil Win disclosed he invested over $300,000 in his last movie, A Country Called Ghana, get ready for yet another eye-popping experience. He’s revealed pouring a staggering $500,000 into his latest project, Ibrahim Traoré.

To him, it is a bold investment driven by passion and a dream to put Ghana on the global map.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Saturday, June 28, Lil Win, real name Kwadwo Nkansah, admits that creating Captain Ibrahim Traoré was incredibly costly. 

“Captain Ibrahim Traoré took every ounce of effort, money and support I could gather. It has been very financially demanding. I had to take out a loan of about $400,000 in addition to my own money as well as help from others, bringing the total to around $500,000,” he explained.

According to Lil Win, many Ghanaians don’t see the full picture. They doubt the high budgets because they don’t witness the long hours, the sacrifices or the real costs behind making quality films. 

“When it comes to film-making in Africa, especially in Ghana, we work with specific budgets. Unfortunately, many people do not believe us when we mention how much our movies cost, but it is the truth. Just as in Nigeria, where some films cost about $1 million to produce, or in the West, where a single movie can cost as much as $30 million or more, we also invest heavily here,” he added. 

He emphasised that authentic African stories were key to international success. Merely telling a story is insufficient; international audiences are drawn to narratives that showcase real African traditions and roots. (Read Men were built to have multiple sex partners – 2Baba)

“If you want your movie to be accepted internationally, you cannot just tell any story. It has to be rich in African culture, our history, our traditions and our folklore. That is why I focus on African stories that showcase who we are.”

“‘Ibrahim Traoré’ isn’t just a film, it is based on a true story from Burkina Faso. I want the world to see Africa’s richness, just like with my last movie, A Country Called Ghana, which is streaming on Amazon now.”

“You can’t expect success on a shoestring budget. A Country Called Ghana cost around $300,000, yet even that required more for promotion. International standards demand serious investment. You can’t expect to achieve that with just a few thousands of cedis,” he stated. 

Lil Win also opened up about the struggles making Ibrahim Traoré, describing it as one of the toughest challenges of his career. 

“Challenges are inevitable when you aim high. TV or YouTube releases are easier, but aiming for international platforms is a different ball game. Every detail — costumes, locations, actors — had to be perfect and it is not easy at all. 

“During filming, we faced unexpected setbacks, resource shortages, even attempts to stop the film’s release. But true passion pushes you through. That’s what it takes to create something meaningful,” he said.