Nollywood royalty. Government motorcades. A red carpet in the heart of Lusaka. And a movie premiere Africa has been waiting on for years.
Ramsey Nouah and Rita Dominic came to Zambia. And what happened over premiere week was not a normal celebrity visit. It was history.
The Streak That Led Here
If you have been paying attention this year, global superstars have not stopped landing in Zambia.
Back in April, legendary Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, the one and only Mama G, was in Lusaka shooting "The Family Affair" alongside our own Mwaka Mugala, the star of "Zuba," in a full Zambia-Nigeria co-production with David Kazadi's Kazadi Films. That same month, Afrobeats hitmaker Ruger headlined the Mosi Day of Thunder in Livingstone and pulled a record crowd of over twelve thousand people.
Then came May, and Lusaka went into overdrive. In one single weekend, American rap heavyweight Rick Ross headlined the Royal Networking Event at Ciêla Resort, sharing the stage with Congolese legend Koffi Olomide... and the very next night, Davido shut down the Lusaka Showgrounds as an official stop on his 5ive Alive World Tour. A world tour that runs through Europe and London, with Lusaka on the map. The city council was closing roads for these people.
Mama G came to film. Ruger, Rick Ross and Davido came to perform. So what brought Ramsey Nouah and Rita Dominic? Something even bigger. A world-class movie premiere, and a continental event that chose Zambia over every other country in Africa.
Zambia Got the Premiere
Here is the part most people do not know. The Africa Creative Market is celebrating five years this year, and for the first time in its history, its flagship event is not in Lagos. It is in Lusaka.
Six days of the continent's biggest creative gathering, running side by side with the Creative Industry Business Summit Zambia and flowing straight into the Kwimbo National Arts Festival. Three events, one city, backed by Zambia's Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts working directly with ACM convener Dr Inya Lawal. They are calling it The Creative Convergence.
And to headline it, a film with serious weight. "77: The FESTAC Conspiracy" is the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 classic "'76." Directed by Izu Ojukwu. Already screened at Cannes. Already been to the Toronto International Film Festival. Picked up by Netflix. And its African premiere did not happen in Lagos or Abuja. It happened right here, in Lusaka, on the first of July.
The Arrivals
Zambia did not play about these two.
Rita Dominic touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International and stepped straight into diplomat treatment. VIP lounge exit. A delegation from the Africa Creative Market, the National Association of Media Arts, and ZuX Creative waiting with a bouquet of red and white roses. Then came the moment: a custom-painted portrait of Rita herself in stunning African garments, presented right there in the lounge. Her reaction said everything. That is not standard airport protocol. That is a love letter from Zambia's creative community.
But the detail that tells the real story is the vehicle she left in. A black Toyota Land Cruiser carrying GRZ plates. Government of the Republic of Zambia. Rita Dominic left the airport in an official state vehicle, flanked by a full motorcade.
Ramsey brought the same energy. He came through the terminal in a black beret and bold wide-leg trousers in a striking African print, a whole Pan-African statement before he even reached the curb, and stepped into a government escort of his own. He was received by a crew of Zambian creatives including the Lusaya team from Western Province, actress and director Bathsheba Waz Waz among them, and the energy was pure joy.
Two Nollywood legends. Government escort vehicles. The state of Zambia itself rolled out for this premiere.
Style Watch: The Red Carpet
Rita Dominic understood the assignment. A deep violet custom gown with a dramatic sculptural ruffle across the bodice, off-the-shoulder neckline, sheer mesh sleeves, and a thigh-high slit. She topped it with a magnificent natural afro updo, a direct homage to the 1977 era the film celebrates. Gold drop earrings and, for contrast, a tan quilted clutch. Regal. Architectural. Ten out of ten.
Then Ramsey pulled up and turned the carpet into a dance floor. All-black modern kaftan with a split hem, layered traditional statement beads, black kufi cap tilted just right, dark shades... and then you look down. White platform sneakers. The man paired royal Nigerian tradition with straight streetwear and made it look effortless. Finger guns for the cameras, grooving to the music, the works.
Rita gave us high fashion royalty. Ramsey gave us the cool uncle who runs the party. And honestly, can we all agree the man is ageless?
The carpet was not just for the '77 cast either. Ghanaian star Juliet Ibrahim was in the building and linked up with our very own Franciar. Deyemi Okanlawon was there. Hollywood and Nollywood veteran Hakeem Kae-Kazim was there. Zambian and West African stars, all vibing on the same carpet. This is exactly what ACM said this week was about.
The Behind the Scenes Secrets From the Set
After the screening, Ramsey and Rita sat down and started dropping behind-the-scenes gems.
First revelation: director Izu Ojukwu made Ramsey gain weight for this role. In Ramsey's own words, his character came out of "'76" a slim, sharp soldier. But in "77," the man has been thrown out of the army, he is drinking, he has let himself go. So Ramsey had to look the part. Rita jumped in to confirm she gained weight too. The whole cast transformed their bodies for continuity. That is commitment.
Second revelation, and this one shocked the room: the vintage cars needed to recreate 1977 could not be found in Nigeria. So the production traveled to Lebanon and shot those scenes there. No shortcuts, no cheap CGI. They crossed continents for authenticity.
And after the credits rolled, one more moment. Captain Dewa and Suzy, ten years after "'76," embracing in Lusaka while the cameras flashed. Two icons who have carried this story for a decade, sharing it with a brand new audience. The film got a huge reception in the room, and both performances were being praised all night. Zambia showed up, and the movie delivered.
The Victoria Falls Bonus
Just when you thought it was over, Ramsey did the most Zambian thing possible. He went to see Mosi-oa-Tunya.
Between premiere events, Ramsey and the '77 team traveled down to Livingstone for a guided tour of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Local guide Makala Chibumba walked them through it, explaining how the falls stretch 1.7 kilometers, with 1.2 of those on the Zambian side. And the man got soaked in the mist, phone out, capturing every second, sharing the trail with schoolkids in their uniforms. No security bubble, no fuss. Just a legend enjoying the smoke that thunders.
Red carpet on Wednesday, rainforest mist by the weekend. Ramsey Nouah did Zambia properly.
So let's zoom out. Mama G in April. Ruger in April. Rick Ross and Davido in May. Ramsey and Rita in July, with a Cannes-screened, Netflix-bound film premiering in Lusaka, government vehicles at the airport, and the Africa Creative Market choosing Zambia over every other nation on the continent for its five-year flagship.
This is not a coincidence. This is a pattern. Zambia is becoming a serious destination for African entertainment, and the whole continent is starting to notice.
The question now is simple. Who lands next?
VersaEdits is tracking every move of Zambia's creative rise. Watch the full video breakdown on our YouTube channel, and follow us on Facebook for daily updates on Zambian entertainment.
