Media entrepreneur and EbonyLife Group CEO, Mo Abudu, has urged Nigerian and African content creators to focus on building sustainable local streaming platforms, amid reports of reduced foreign investment in African streaming services.
Abudu shared her message via her Instagram page, stressing the importance of African ownership of platforms tailored to local audiences. This comes after Variety reported that Canal+ is considering shutting down Showmax as part of cost-cutting measures following its acquisition of MultiChoice.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Abudu highlighted the need for business models designed specifically for African markets. “No one is coming to save us. It’s up to us to build sustainable business models that truly work for our market,” she said. She emphasised that indigenous streaming services remain in their early stages and require patience to thrive. EbonyLife ON Plus, for example, continues to invest in nurturing local platforms despite the challenges posed by declining international funding.
Abudu also pointed to Africa’s rich cultural and storytelling heritage as a key asset for the continent’s entertainment industry. She advocated for creatively adapting global strategies while developing uniquely African pathways.
“The future is in our hands. Let us build it with confidence, collaboration and belief. Personally, I see this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Local for Local. Local for Global,” Abudu said.
Her remarks underscore a growing call within Africa’s creative sectors to prioritise self-reliance and innovation in the streaming ecosystem. With Showmax’s future uncertain, the emphasis on local platforms has never been more critical, as African creatives look to leverage their cultural assets while reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
