Triggerfish, an animation company based in South Africa, is on a mission to export African stories to a global audience through animation. They recently achieved a milestone with Netflix's release of Supa Team 4, the streaming platform's first original animated African series. The company's CEO, Stuart Forrest, aims to build bridges connecting Africa to the world by telling world-class stories centered on the continent.

Triggerfish initially faced challenges due to the shift from stop-frame animation to computer-generated (CG) animation. To stay afloat, Stuart Forrest and animator Mike Buckland redefined the company as a CG animation studio focusing on African stories. Their decision to focus on Africa was driven not only by a passion for the continent but also by the desire to attract financiers with deep pockets, including collaborations with big players like Disney.

While Africa is a huge market with a population of 1.4 billion people, the revenue-generating capacity is still relatively low, accounting for just 4% of Triggerfish's income. To increase profitability, the company aims to think globally and target the African diaspora, a large and under-tapped market opportunity for Afro-animation distribution. The success of Afrocentric projects like Black Panther and The Woman King has also contributed to a growing global appetite for Africa-centered content.

Triggerfish plans to continue working with creators across the continent to export more African stories worldwide, leading the fast-growing Afro-animations industry. They see other emerging companies like Youneek, Magic Carpet, Giraffics, Diprente, and Kugali Media as allies rather than competitors, advocating for more focus on African stories to unlock the continent's potential.

However, despite the potential for returns, the animation industry in Africa faces challenges, including limited investment from financiers and African governments. Triggerfish is also addressing the talent gap by running a non-profit program to train Africans to become world-class animators.

Overall, Triggerfish remains dedicated to showcasing Africa's beauty and potential through its animated storytelling, believing that the continent's journey ahead is filled with immense possibilities.

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