Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has made headlines again after revealing that he invested an astonishing $500,000 into his latest cinematic project, Ibrahim Traoré.

The ambitious film, inspired by true events in Burkina Faso, follows the success of his previous movie A Country Called Ghana, which cost $300,000 to produce and is currently streaming on Amazon.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on June 28, Lil Win admitted that Captain Ibrahim Traoré stretched him to his financial limits. "I had to take out a loan of about $400,000, add my own money, and get support from others just to complete this project,” he said.

The actor explained that while some may find the figures hard to believe, producing high-quality African films requires serious investment. “Many people don’t understand the sacrifices involved. They don’t see the long hours, the logistics, or what goes into creating something that can meet international standards.”

Lil Win pointed out that just like in Nigeria and Western countries, where film budgets run into millions, Ghana too must step up to compete on the global stage. “You cannot expect to produce an internationally competitive movie on a shoestring budget. Every element—costumes, locations, actors—must be top-notch,” he emphasized.

He strongly believes that the international appeal of African cinema lies in authentic storytelling rooted in culture, history, and tradition. “If you want your movie accepted abroad, it must reflect who we are. That’s why Ibrahim Traoré is rich in African identity, not just a random tale.”

Lil Win also revealed the production came with intense challenges—from funding gaps and logistical setbacks to attempts to derail the release. “This is easily the toughest production of my career. But when you’re passionate and believe in what you’re creating, nothing can stop you.”

He urged Ghanaians and the broader African audience to believe in local talents and support the film industry’s growth, stressing that meaningful success in global cinema doesn’t come cheap.

With Ibrahim Traoré, Lil Win hopes to elevate Ghanaian storytelling and put Africa’s voice at the center of global cinematic conversations.