Top 10 African-Owned Streaming Services Making a Difference in 2025

In Summary

• Revenue in the Streaming market in Africa is projected to reach $5.4m by the end of 2025.
• Revenue is expected to grow at an annual rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 7.46%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$7.1m by 2029.
• In the streaming market in Africa, the number of users is expected to amount to 46.3m by 2029.
• User penetration will be 7.6% by the end of 2025 and is expected to hit 8.5% by 2029.

Deep Dive!!

Like many other technology-based innovations, critics did not predict the rapid rise of streaming services in Africa. Today, the continent is a top target destination for international streaming services owning to its large youthful population and high internet cum smartphone penetration.

Despite the presence of big international players in the streaming space like Apple+ and Disney, African-owned streaming services are holding their ground through the production of local content to control a considerable share of the market. As a result, it is no news that a locally owned streaming service platform like Showmax controls more market share than an international brand like Netflix.

According to recent data, Showmax currently dominates the African streaming market, surpassing Netflix with a larger subscriber base, largely due to its focus on local content and strong presence through its parent company MultiChoice; in South Africa alone, around 47% of internet users subscribe to streaming services, with Netflix holding a 31% share and Showmax at 13%. 

Showmax's success is attributed to its significant investment in local African content, which resonates strongly with the audience. South Africa—the home of Showmax, is a major market for streaming services in Africa, with a significant proportion of users subscribing to platforms like Netflix and Showmax. 

However, while not the top platform, Netflix still has a significant presence in Africa and has invested in producing local content. The African streaming market is expected to continue growing rapidly as internet access expands across the continent. Below, we have highlighted the top ten African-owned streaming services making a difference in the continent. These platforms highlight the innovation and diversity within Africa's streaming industry, catering to the continent's unique cultural and entertainment needs.

Here are the top 10 African-owned Streaming Services Making a Difference, Check Them Out!

10. YeboYethu—South Africa: YeboYethu is a South African streaming service offering local music and video content. A subsidiary of Vodacom Group, YeboYethu provides South African music videos, live performances, and artist interviews, primarily available to Vodacom subscribers in South Africa.

9. Kwesé iflix—Ghana: A joint venture between Kwesé and iflix, Kwesé iflix offers a mix of live sports, entertainment, and local African content. The platform provides live sports events, TV shows, movies, and local African series, operating in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

8. KDNPLUS—Nigeria: Founded on July 1, 2024, by King-David Ndubisi, KDNPLUS is an online streaming platform specializing in Nollywood films, African dramas, and indigenous storytelling. KDNPLUS aims to promote African cinema and cultural narratives on a global scale, serving as a cultural bridge reconnecting Africans abroad with their roots while introducing the world to the depth of Nigerian storytelling.

7. Tuluntulu—South Africa: Tuluntulu is a mobile streaming platform offering African-focused TV channels and on-demand videos. Based in South Africa, Tuluntulu features news, documentaries, music, and lifestyle channels catering to African audiences, accessible globally with a focus on mobile users in Africa.

6. TRACE Play—South Africa: TRACE Play is a streaming platform focusing on Afro-urban music and entertainment. The service offers music videos, concerts, documentaries, and TV shows celebrating African culture, aiming to connect the African diaspora with rich and diverse content. Owned by TRACE Group, the service is available in over 180 countries, with a strong focus on African content.

5. MTN Shortz—South Africa: An initiative by MTN, Africa's largest telecom operator, MTN Shortz offers short-form video content tailored for mobile users. The platform features user-generated content, music videos, and short films, providing entertainment on-the-go for MTN subscribers across various African countries.

4. Viu Africa—South Africa: Viu is a pan-African streaming service offering a variety of local and international TV shows and movies. Operated by PCCW Media, Viu Africa focuses on African audiences by providing a blend of African soap operas, dramas, and international series, catering to diverse tastes across the continent. It has a strong presence in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt.

3. IROKOtv—Nigeria: Established in 2011, IROKOtv is often dubbed the "Netflix of Africa" for its extensive collection of Nollywood films and African TV series. Founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Jason Njoku, IROKOtv offers both English and Yoruba films, with approximately 5,000 movies on the platform, equating to around 10,000 hours of content. The service has also expanded into global offline distribution, supplying Nollywood content to airlines like British Airways and Emirates.

2. Boomplay—Nigeria: Launched in 2015, Boomplay is a music streaming service focusing on African and urban music content. A collaboration between Transsion Holdings and NetEase, Boomplay offers a vast library of songs, including local African artists and international tracks. The platform has expanded its presence with offices in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon.

1. Showmax—South Africa: Launched in 2015, Showmax is a subscription-based video-on-demand service offering a vast library of TV shows, movies, and documentaries. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, Showmax is primarily owned by MultiChoice, holding a 70% stake, with NBCUniversal owning 30%. The platform focuses on local content and partnerships with mobile telcos, boasting a customer base of 2.1 million subscribers across Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2023.