Zaia Ventures, founded by former Prime Video executive Ukonwo Ojo in 2022, has acquired a stake in Taeps Animation Studios, a burgeoning animation studio based in Lagos.
Taeps, established in 2017 by Adeoyin Okuboyejo and Ayobami Bello, gained recognition with their short animated film, “Ewa,” nominated for Best Animation Short Film at the African Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2023.
The studio is currently working on its inaugural feature film, “Adétóún and the Heart of Time,” which follows the journey of Adétóún, a descendant of an ancient warrior.
Okuboyejo, Taeps CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Ukonwa, citing her extensive experience from Amazon, Mac, Unilever, and RB, and emphasizing their shared vision of celebrating African heritage through animation.
Ojo, CEO of Zaia Ventures, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the alignment of their commitment to authenticity and excellence in storytelling, aiming to showcase African culture globally.
Departing from her role as chief marketing officer of Prime Video and Amazon Studios in 2022, Ojo launched Zaia Ventures with a focus on building and scaling businesses serving underrepresented and marginalized communities.
As a board member of Taeps, Ojo will provide strategic guidance to support the company’s growth. The investment in Taeps comes amidst a surge in interest and investment in Nigerian creators, with Hollywood giants like Disney and Cartoon Network exploring animated series based on Nigerian mythologies and magical realist narratives.
Disney’s “Iwaju,” set in futuristic Lagos, and Cartoon Network’s “Iyanu,” based on Roye Okupe’s graphic novel, exemplify this trend, reflecting a growing global appetite for African storytelling in animation.
