In a world dominated by streaming giants like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Disney+, Africa’s burgeoning film industry is carving out its digital oasis. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the majestic plains of South Africa, a new wave of homegrown streaming platforms is revolutionizing how audiences consume African cinema. Join us on a journey through 13 dynamic digital platforms that showcase the continent’s diverse narratives, from riveting dramas to captivating documentaries, and more!
1. ShowMax
Since Showmax launched in 2015 as a subsidiary of Multichoice, it has gone on to become one of the best streaming platforms in Africa, competing with the top SVOD (Subscription Video On-Demand) service, Netflix. In a recent interview, Showmax CEO, Marc Jury, noted that Multichoice had dedicated half its general entertainment budget, $1 billion, in the 2023 financial year to producing more than 30 Showmax originals across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. Showmax does not plan to leave the market anytime soon. Recently, the platform doubled down on its entertainment game with a relaunch, focusing on a mobile-only subscription for the English Premier League.
2. IROKOtv
One of the continent’s first digital streaming platforms, IROKOtv has been providing African movies on demand since the early 2010s. Despite rumors of shutting down last year in October, Jason Njoku IROKOtv has repositioned the platform for growth, focusing on the African diaspora. It offers over 5000 Nollywood titles, including classics like Where Men Rule (2021), Untamed (2021), and Silent Sound (2021). IROKOtv is a great place to start if you’re looking for Nigerian movies that have left the mainstream platforms. You can find the app on Google Play Store and the App Store or stream directly from the website.
3. KweliTV
Kweli means truth, and true to its name, KweliTv is a digital platform devoted to telling stories of black creators through films, documentaries, web series, animation, and kids’ shows. Launched by DeShuna Spencer in 2016, the Swahili streaming platform is home to different films, housed in a black and enthusiastic orange interface. They offer their users the most flexible subscription options, including a monthly and annual subscription with no ads and a monthly and Kwelikids with ads, all at affordable rates.
4. IbakaTv
Founded in Lagos by Nigerian entertainer Blessed Idornigie, IbakaTv has gone a long way since 2011. With an audience of over 500 million, the digital platform provides a vast library of Nollywood, Ghallywood, and other African films and TV shows. Apart from their Subscription Video On-Demand (SVOD) app available on Google Play Store and the App Store, they also have a free YouTube channel where you can stream and download your favorite Nollywood movies. They offer a monthly plan of 2,000 Naira, a quarterly plan of 5,000 Naira, and a yearly plan of 20,000 Naira. Some of the Nollywood films on IbakaTv are Toyin Abraham’s The Ghost and the Tout (2018), and Trump Card (2023), starring Bolanle Ninalowo.
5. Afroland TV
AfroLandTV is a free streaming service for Black movies and TV from around the world. AfroLandTV unites global Black communities through entertaining stories from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America.
6. CinemaUG
Seeks to create the first-ever Eco-system of Ugandan Films, Talents, and film production houses across the country and avail a platform on which Film lovers in the world can comment, review, and share vital film communications across the larger spectrum.
7. Farmhouse Movies
Ghanaian film production house, Farmhouse Productions decided to come out with its streaming service at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Watch your favorite TV series from Farmhouse Productions in the comfort of your home. Catch up on the latest TV series available to enjoy. Bringing our productions to you, we have developed this application to showcase our awesome works to you, be it STRYKE, Things We Do For Love, Fortune Island, YOLO, etc. Using the application, you would have the opportunity to stream some of their older productions for free and also pay to stream the most current ones.
8. NollyLand
NollyLand is an app that lets you watch over 1000 “handpicked” full-length Nigerian, Ghanaian, and African movies and TV shows with no ads from the comfort of your home and from the comfort of your Android devices. The platform is subscription-based, which means you need to have a NollyLand subscription to be able to watch full-length movies. Though you can watch previews for free.
9. Demand Africa
The subscription streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) service hosts hundreds of hours of original and acquired lifestyle content, scripted TV series, and movies. In addition to premium HD programming, Demand Africa features free access to online short-form videos, thousands of African and Caribbean-inspired recipes, travel and lifestyle blogs, and more, highlighting content across the African diaspora.
10. SABC Plus
In mid-November 2022, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said it was taking over the then-struggling TelkomOne streaming service, which had existed for two years, and rebranded as SABC+. The app features a variety of local and international content. The SABC + streaming app also includes 19 radio stations, 3 free-to-air television channels, the SABC Sports Channel, and the SABC’s 24-hour news channel.
11. FilmHouse
This is a mobile app created by FilmOne Distribution, a popular Nollywood movie distributor in Nigeria. The company also runs one of the largest cinemas in Nigeria and, hence, has its hands on quite a number of Nollywood content. You can stream a variety of content, purchase movie tickets to their cinema, and even rent popular movies via the Filmhouse app.
12. AVO TV
AVO prides itself as Africa’s leading FAST OTT Platform. Since its launch in 2021, AVO has been the most downloaded Entertainment App in the region. Available to download and watch globally, AVO offers over 120 local and international live TV channels, plus thousands of hours of on-demand content. It brings together thousands of Nollywood movies, available on-demand, and over 120 channels including AIT, Aljazeera, Bloomberg TV, and Channels TV, for viewers to watch for free.
13. Wi-Flix
Recently launched in Zambia, Wi-Flix expands its presence beyond Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, gearing up to challenge established streaming giants. Founded in 2020 by Louis Manu and Bright Yeboah, Wi-Flix sets itself apart by targeting a different market segment. While competitors cater to the upper middle class, Wi-Flix focuses on low-income earners. With a subscription cost of $2.99, Wi-Flix offers an affordable alternative to pricier options like Netflix, whose cheapest package starts at $9.99.
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