Category: News

In a major broadcasting shift, Nigeria Launches FreeTV today, establishing a national digital television platform that gives every household in the country access to free, subscription-free television. The platform launches as a synchronized nationwide deployment, broadcasting simultaneously across satellite systems, terrestrial transmission networks, and a dedicated mobile application.

The launch falls within Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over programme, a long-running transition away from analogue broadcasting with a hard final deadline of December 31, 2028. FreeTV is the consumer-facing engine of that transition and the part ordinary Nigerians will feel most immediately.

Over 100 channels are available at launch, spanning news, sports, movies, music, children’s programming, and education. Three dedicated language channels in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo are also part of the opening lineup. This integration formally acknowledges Nigeria’s linguistic reality on an unprecedented scale.

The service runs simultaneously over three delivery channels: satellite for broad rural coverage, terrestrial transmission for urban density, and a mobile application for the smartphone-first population. Any single entry point gets a viewer in. Internet penetration and smartphone ownership in Nigeria are growing fast but remain unevenly spread. A rural household that cannot reliably stream but sits under a satellite footprint still receives FreeTV. A young urban adult who owns no television but carries a phone gets the same content.

On the hardware question, the answer is reassuring. Nigerians do not need a new television. Existing sets work with a compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoder, and households that already own a compatible free-to-air decoder may not need to purchase anything at all.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission Charles Ebuebu said families across Nigeria can now enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription while local content producers, technicians, and young creatives gain new platforms and employment opportunities.

Beyond the consumer story, FreeTV carries a supply-side implication worth watching. Regional production studios are being established in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin. Those studios translate into jobs for camera operators, sound engineers, editors, and technicians who currently lack the domestic infrastructure to work at scale. More than 100 channels creates demand for local content. That demand, handled well, has potential as a catalyst for Nigeria’s broadcast and creative economy.

As part of the landmark MarkHack 5.0 Conference, the 2nd edition of The Nigeria MarTech Award, held on Friday, 5th June 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, took center stage; a prestigious event dedicated to recognizing innovators, startups, and organizations revolutionizing Nigeria’s marketing landscape through technology. The initiative celebrates excellence in marketing technology and fosters a thriving ecosystem where creativity, data-driven insights, and AI-powered innovation drive growth and engagement across Nigeria and Africa. 

The awards evening, held at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, was organized by GDM Group, Nigeria’s leading marketing and media technology company, Eko Innovation Centre, a renowned startup accelerator, and in collaboration with Brand Communicator, the foremost voice in the marketing and communications industry. The program opened with the National Anthem and the introduction of distinguished guests by the compere, followed by a welcome address from Joshua Ajayi, Founder of Brand Communicator and CEO of Awesome Communications, who emphasized the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI in shaping the future of marketing and media in Africa.

This was complemented by a goodwill message from Tubosun Alake, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos State, reinforcing government support for the advancement of marketing technology and innovation.

A keynote session by Dr. Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, Founder of Eko Innovation Centre, titled “Why MarkHack? The Journey So Far,” provided reflections on the evolution of marketing innovation and the role of startups and technology in shaping the African marketing ecosystem.

The awards night recognized outstanding contributions across multiple categories. The nominees for each award category were selected based on innovation, impact, and relevance. Their profiles were made publicly accessible via a dedicated awards portal, allowing stakeholders, industry practitioners, and the general public to vote for their preferred innovators. The voting process was conducted through a transparent online platform, designed for fairness and ease of access, enabling participants to review contributions and make informed choices. The entries with the highest overall scores and votes were ultimately recognized as winners, honoring individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on Nigeria’s marketing and technology ecosystem.

Notable award recipients included the Data & Insights Excellence Award presented to Olawande Mayungbo, Retail Technology Platform of the Year awarded to OmniRetail, AI-Driven Content Creator of the Year to Comfort Obiagbaoso (Comfietech), AI-Powered Banking Experience of the Year to ALAT by Wema, AI Innovation in Betting, Gaming & Entertainment to BetKing, and AI Innovation in Film & Content Production to Makemation. The CMO Digital Transformation & Growth Award went to Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, while the CMO Innovation & Future Impact Award was presented to Ilyas Kazeem (Male Category) and Majolie Obaje (Female Category). Finally, the AI-Generated FMCG Campaign of the Year was awarded to Three Crowns.

The evening also featured the MarkHack 5.0 Hackathon, which added a dynamic competitive element. A total of 74 startups participated in the pitching sessions across MarkHack 5.0 focus areas: Data & Insights, Economics of Experience, Human-Centered AI, and Content Creation. Following a rigorous process and one month of mentorship, six startups advanced to the final day: Market Navigators, Adminting, Movable Games, Edenn, Lena, and Readversity.

During the final pitches, Team Lena emerged as the overall winner, demonstrating exceptional creativity, strategic insight, and application of AI-driven marketing solutions. Team Market Navigators secured second place as first runner-up, while Team Adminting took third place as second runner-up. Each startup showcased innovative campaigns designed to deliver measurable impact for brands operating in African markets.

In addition, the evening featured the official unveiling of Ad-Agency GPT by Tomi Davies, Collaborator-in-Chief at TVC Labs, providing participants with a live preview of Africa’s first generative AI platform built specifically for marketing and advertising agencies. The platform is designed to support creative workflows, campaign ideation, content generation, and strategic decision-making, offering practical solutions for agencies and startups operating across African markets.

The MarkHack 5.0 Awards/Hackathon celebrated innovation, cultural relevance, and the transformative potential of AI in marketing. At the end, Dr. Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, the convener of the event and Founder, Eko Innovation Centre, recognized the contributions of speakers, participants, startups, and organizers who collectively advanced dialogue on AI, marketing strategy, and technology-driven innovation in Africa.

MarkHack 5.0 delivered a defining moment for Africa’s marketing, media, and technology ecosystem, convening an elite cross-section of industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Organised by GDM Group in partnership with Eko Innovation Centre and Brand Communicator, this year’s edition, anchored on the theme “The Culture Algorithm: AI × Human Experience”, moved beyond conversation to establish a new strategic lens for how brands must operate in an AI-shaped world.

From the outset, the conference signaled both depth and intent. In his opening remarks, Joshua Ajayi, Founder of Brand Communicator, set a decisive tone for the day, positioning MarkHack as a platform not just for dialogue, but for industry direction-setting. This was reinforced by a goodwill address from Dr. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, President and Chairman of Council, NIMN, who underscored the urgency of marketing leadership evolving in response to technological disruption.

The first plenary session featured Osato Evbuomwan, Marketing Director at Moët Hennessy Nigeria, on the theme “Trust That Sells: How AI is Changing What Consumers Believe and Buy.” The plenary panel included Olayinka Iyinolakan (Founder, Indigenius AI), Nengi Akinola (Head of Marketing, BetKing), and Segun Ogunleye (Head of Marketing, Diageo), moderated by Tolulope Madebem (President, EXMAN). Together, they explored how AI-driven strategies are influencing consumer trust and decision-making, offering participants practical insights for culturally relevant marketing campaigns.

A standout moment came with the keynote address by Victoria Ajayi, Group MD/CEO of TVC Communications, who delivered a compelling perspective on the growing “trust deficit” in the age of AI. Her address reinforced a central theme of the conference: that while AI scales reach and efficiency, it is human judgment, authenticity, and ethical responsibility that sustain brand equity.

The second plenary deepened the conversation, focusing on the intersection of AI and African storytelling. Led by Mabel Adeteye, Head of Brands & Marketing Communications at Wema Bank, set the stage for the session “Brand Storytelling in Africa: The Role of AI in Building Authentic Consumer Narratives.” Moderated by Joanna Mustapha of News Central TV, the plenary brought together Adebola Williams, Winston Ailemoh, Oduwaye Ayotomiwa, and Isaac Akani to explore practical strategies for leveraging AI to create authentic, culturally resonant narratives, providing participants with actionable insights to build stronger connections between brands and African consumers.

Beyond the main stage, the breakout sessions translated strategy into execution through parallel tracks that allowed participants to engage deeply with applied AI in marketing. One track, “From Data to Demand: Making AI Work in Real African Markets,” featured lead discussants Chioma Otisi-Igwe (FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC), Godson Nkeokelonye (Excite Panacea Limited), Simpa Yekini (Tingtel), Temi Kolawole (Ilorin Innovation Hub), and Chibuike Goodnews (Dochase AdX), moderated by Scott Eneje (Digital Evolutions Ltd). This session highlighted practical applications of AI for market-specific campaign planning, consumer insights, and operational efficiency.

Running concurrently, the session “Local by Design: Rethinking African Consumer Insight for Modern Brands” featured lead discussants Fiyin Toyo (Marketing Director, Central, East & West Africa, Beiersdorf), Dr. Abiodun Ajiborode (CEO, Brand Management Academy and BLIM), David Mogaji (CEO, Candleweb AI), Tope Sule (Brand Manager, Indomie), and Martha Kayode (Head of Marketing, PZ Cussons), moderated by Mobolaji Junaid (CEO, WhyFinite). This track focused on leveraging local insights to design marketing campaigns that resonate with African consumers, emphasizing culturally informed strategies and practical approaches to modern brand-building. These sessions reflected a strong emphasis on applicability, not abstraction. Participants left with concrete approaches to integrating AI into campaign planning, audience targeting, and brand positioning in ways that are both effective and contextually relevant.

Collectively, MarkHack 5.0 distinguished itself not just by the quality of its speakers, but by the calibre of its conversations. It successfully bridged the often fragmented worlds of technology, creativity, and commerce, creating a cohesive platform where ideas translated into strategic direction.

As AI continues to reshape the global marketing landscape, MarkHack 5.0 has firmly positioned itself as the continent’s leading convening for forward-thinking practitioners, setting the agenda for how Africa’s brands will compete, connect, and create value in the years ahead.

The CMO Circle—Nigeria’s premier, invitation-only forum for Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing leaders—announces Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi as Co-Chairs for its 2026 convening. Designed as a high-trust, executive platform, the Circle brings together the most influential voices in marketing to shape strategy at the highest levels of business and public policy.

Convened by MarkHack in partnership with StatiSense and Brand Communicator, the CMO Circle operates at the intersection of enterprise leadership and national development. Beyond dialogue, the Circle institutionalises its influence through the quarterly CMO Index—a flagship publication that aggregates executive sentiment, market intelligence, and forward-looking insights to inform policy conversations and economic decision-making. In doing so, the Circle positions marketing leadership as a critical voice in shaping Nigeria’s business environment and policy direction.

As Co-Chairs, Ukoh and Akinwunmi will curate and lead high-level discussions focused on innovation, talent density, enterprise growth, and the expanding mandate of the CMO within the C-suite. Their stewardship reinforces the Circle’s role as a convening authority—one that not only reflects industry thinking but actively defines it.

Ukoh, Chief Executive Officer of Entod Marketing and former Director of Marketing Services at Nestlé Nigeria, is widely regarded for her leadership in brand strategy, consumer engagement, and cultural storytelling. Akinwunmi, Group CEO of Prima Garnet (Ogilvy Nigeria), brings decades of experience advising leading national and multinational brands, alongside a distinguished record of industry leadership.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi, Convener of MarkHack and the CMO Circle, stated:

“The CMO Circle is intentionally designed as a premium, outcomes-driven platform—one that moves marketing leadership beyond the boardroom into the sphere of policy influence. With Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi as Co-Chairs, we are setting a clear tone of authority, depth, and relevance. Through the CMO Index and our quarterly convenings, the Circle will play a defining role in shaping both industry direction and policy dialogue.”

The inaugural 2026 session, themed “The C-Suite Mandate: Talent Density and Marketing Leadership,” will convene a curated network of CMOs and business leaders, reinforcing the Circle’s position as the definitive forum for strategic influence, peer exchange, and policy-relevant insight in Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem.

MarkHack 5.0, Nigeria’s premier marketing, media, and technology conference, will host the official unveiling of Ad-Agency GPT—Africa’s first generative AI platform purpose-built for marketing and advertising agencies.

The platform will be introduced by Tomi Davies, Collaborator-in-Chief at TVC Labs and founding President of ABAN, alongside Dr. Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, Group CEO of GDM Group, on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ad-Agency GPT represents a significant leap in marketing infrastructure across Africa. Designed as an end-to-end intelligent system, the platform supports the full agency workflow—from interpreting client briefs and generating culturally calibrated copy, to campaign planning, strategic scenario development, and content validation. Its integrated architecture enables agencies of any size to operate with the sophistication, speed, and strategic depth traditionally associated with large global networks.

At its core, the platform embeds deep contextual intelligence. By encoding African consumer behavior, regional language nuances, FMCG activation models, and cultural dynamics, Ad-Agency GPT produces outputs that are inherently market-ready—addressing a critical limitation of generic AI tools that often lack local relevance. It also enables teams to retain and build on institutional knowledge, ensuring continuity, learning, and progressive refinement across campaigns.

This year’s conference, themed “The Culture Algorithm: AI × Human Experience,” will convene leading voices across marketing, technology, policy, and the creative industries to explore how AI is reshaping culture, identity, and decision-making. Within this context, the unveiling of Ad-Agency GPT signals a pivotal shift—from AI as a tool, to AI as foundational infrastructure for marketing execution in Africa.

Attendees will experience live demonstrations of the platform, including campaign ideation, multi-format content generation, and culturally adaptive strategy development. These sessions are designed to provide practical insight into how agencies can accelerate workflows, elevate creative output, and deliver campaigns that resonate across diverse African markets.

Ad-Agency GPT will launch with an open-access model, enabling immediate adoption across the ecosystem. A Pro tier—featuring advanced capabilities such as enhanced output capacity, collaborative workspaces, and access to GDM Group’s proprietary campaign playbooks—will be introduced as the platform scales. This phased approach positions the platform not merely as a productivity tool, but as a long-term operating system for agency growth and competitiveness.

The unveiling of Ad-Agency GPT at MarkHack 5.0 reinforces the conference’s role as a catalyst for industry transformation. It underscores GDM Group’s leadership in advancing AI-driven marketing innovation across the continent.

People are creating differently, communicating differently, and consuming media differently because of artificial intelligence. As these changes take hold, one question is becoming impossible to ignore: how do we ensure technology evolves without eroding human culture, creativity, and lived experience? MarkHack 5.0, Nigeria’s leading marketing, media, and innovation conference, will take that question head-on, coming to the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, 5 June 2026.

Themed “The Culture Algorithm: AI × Human Experience,” MarkHack 5.0 will convene industry leaders, creatives, technologists, startups, policymakers, and cultural innovators to examine how algorithms are increasingly shaping identity, behavior, media, and everyday life and what it means for brands, creators, and consumers in Nigeria and across Africa.

Organised by GDM Group in partnership with Eko Innovation Centre and Brand Communicator, MarkHack 5.0 reflects a deliberate shift from tool-centric AI conversations to a culture-first approach. At a time when AI adoption is accelerating across marketing, media, and the creative economy, the conference positions itself as a forum for deeper reflection on meaning, ethics, creativity, and human agency in an algorithm-driven world.

This year’s edition will feature a curated mix of high-impact experiences designed to move the conversation beyond theory into lived reality. Keynotes and fireside conversations will bring together industry leaders, founders, creatives, researchers, and policymakers to unpack how AI is influencing culture, storytelling, consumer behavior, and trust. A multidisciplinary hackathon and demo day will challenge startups building solutions at the intersection of AI, culture, and human experience, culminating in live demonstrations and recognition of standout ideas.

MarkHack 5.0 will also introduce immersive content creation and media experiences, where filmmakers, creators, and media professionals engage with new storytelling formats shaped by technology and culture. Consumer-led panels will foreground real human perspectives, examining how everyday people experience AI-powered platforms, media systems, and digital products. Startup and corporate exhibitions will showcase innovations redefining marketing, media, lifestyle, and engagement, while the awards and recognition segment will continue to spotlight individuals and organisations driving meaningful change within Nigeria’s marketing, media, and technology ecosystem.

Since launching in 2022 as Nigeria’s first marketing and media hackathon, MarkHack has evolved into a full-scale conference and thought-leadership platform. This evolution mirrors a broader industry shift, from experimentation with new tools to a deeper examination of how technology influences culture, creativity, and human values. MarkHack 5.0 builds on this legacy by expanding the conversation beyond performance and automation to include identity, lifestyle, and human experience.

The conference brings together marketers, founders, creators, investors, media practitioners, and innovators to connect, collaborate, and draw practical insights on how AI can work alongside human creativity and expression, not against it, especially in emerging markets.

Applications are now open at markhack.tech/pitch. Interested participants are encouraged to apply before March 31st, 2026.

InnovationHub Africa, the organizers of the prestigious Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS), have unveiled the key agenda for the 10th edition of the annual event. Recognized as one of Africa’s leading platforms for innovation, the summit brings together top stakeholders from diverse sectors to discuss forward-thinking ideas, emerging trends, and opportunities that drive growth. This year’s edition will focus on accelerating solutions that tackle Nigeria’s unique challenges while also creating broader impact across the African continent.

Disclosing the event’s agenda, Mr. Tony Ajah, the Programme Director of the summit says, “The theme for this year’s event is “Sustainable Innovation”. As the world grapples with pressing challenges from climate change to social and economic inequality, innovation must go beyond what is new to what is sustainable and inclusive. We must rethink how we create, and build solutions that serve not just the present needs, but also protect and empower generations to come.

“The future belongs to those who innovate responsibly, boldly and sustainably, and Nigeria and Africa should not be left out in our quest to attain global competitiveness. Sustainable Innovation reminds us that true innovation is about what will last. This year, we will explore how innovation can drive sustainable development, strengthen industries, empower young people, and transform communities. Most importantly, we will connect, collaborate, and commit ourselves to action.”

NIS 2025, which will take place on 7-8 October 2025 at the Muson Centre, Lagos, will witness a plethora of speakers from innovation actors in private and public institutions, and leading startups in Nigeria and around the world.

Each year, the summit provides a platform that fosters collaborations among startups, innovators, entrepreneurs, businesses, policymakers, the academic community, and international organizations. NIS also provides opportunities for Nigerian innovators to showcase their innovative solutions for industrial applications, adoption, and commercialisation.

For the 10^th year on a roll, NIS brings in experts within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem and around the world to connect, share ideas, and collaborate. This year’s event will feature insightful discussions, Nigeria innovation experience talks (NiX Talks), innovative showcases, workshops, fireside chats, startup pitches, and exhibitions focusing on healthtech, agritech, circular economy, AI applications, renewable energy and cleantech, oil & gas, fintech, real estate, edtech, techtainment, digital economy, startup/entrepreneurship development, among others. The summit will climax with the 2025 Nigeria Innovation Awards.

Through previous editions, NIS has attracted over 12,000 delegates, 220 speakers and panelists, 100 tertiary institutions and research centres, 40 government ministries, attendees from 36 states, over 170 sponsors and partners, 42 countries in attendance, and over 90 innovation award recipients.

Participation in this event is open to local and international businesses, innovators, startups, MSMEs, public and private institutions, embassies/high commissions, investors, the academic community, and all the stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. The event will also be live-streamed to a wider audience across Nigeria and beyond.

The Nigeria Innovation Summit 2025 offers great opportunities through sponsorship, partnership, and exhibitions of innovative products, ideas, and services. Participation is open to all stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. For more inquiries and participation, please visit: innovationsummit.ng

Nigeria’s telecom industry has a bold new player. Or rather, a familiar name with a fresh identity. 9mobile has officially rebranded to T2, marking a significant shift in its brand strategy, visual identity, and long-term vision.

The transformation was unveiled at the “Tech Meets Tenacity” event held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos. It drew industry leaders, government officials, partners, and entertainers. Hosted by music icon Darey Art Alade, the event featured vibrant performances and high-profile appearances, including Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

9mobile’s Transition to T2 Signals More Than a Name Change

Speaking at the launch, Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of T2, described the change as a fundamental overhaul rather than a cosmetic refresh.

“This is not just a brand unveiling. It is the beginning of a whole new chapter in our history,” Banigbe said. “We are no longer who we were. We are becoming something greater, more ambitious, and more in tune with the future.”

The CEO outlined the company’s ambition to become a customer-obsessed, technology-powered, and digitally agile telecom operator. He positioned T2 as a brand that would serve as a platform for possibilities. It aims to empower startups, remote workers, creatives, and everyday Nigerians.

Banigbe also emphasised that the new identity mirrors the energy and resilience of Nigeria’s youthful population. He noted that the rebrand embraces a digital-first approach to deliver faster, smarter, and more relevant services.

With the rebrand, T2 is committing to a fully digital, data-driven business model. Banigbe revealed that the company will become cloud-native and API-ready. This will enable faster product rollouts and hyper-personalised services powered by artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.

“In today’s world, the winners are not the biggest but the boldest,” he said. “We are designing our systems to empower our customers with real-time support, self-service tools, and simplified processes from the palm of their hands.”

The new corporate colour, a vibrant orange, is intended to signal warmth, energy, and forward momentum.

T2 Rebrand Positioned to Pull 9mobile Out of Decline

Banigbe acknowledged the company’s struggles in recent years. Subscriber numbers fell from a peak of 22 million between 2014 and 2016 to just 3.2 million as of January 2025. Contributing factors included the exit of its initial investors, reduced infrastructure investments, and intensified competition.

Despite these setbacks, he framed T2’s evolution as a story of resilience. He likened the company’s journey to that of Nigeria itself, enduring challenges but bouncing back stronger.

Partnerships are a key pillar of T2’s recovery strategy. Banigbe highlighted recent moves such as a national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria. This expands network coverage and improves service quality.

He also reaffirmed T2’s mission to drive Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting innovation ecosystems, tech entrepreneurs, and creative communities.

“To every Nigerian dreaming of something better, this rebrand is for you,” Banigbe said. “It is a reminder that you too can reimagine, rebuild, and relaunch.”

With a renewed brand, fresh strategy, and an emphasis on speed, relevance, and innovation, T2 is positioning itself not just to compete but to lead in Nigeria’s fast-evolving telecommunications market.

French media powerhouse Canal+ has secured full ownership of MultiChoice Group, the company behind DStv and GOtv, in a landmark deal worth $3 billion (about 55 billion rand). The deal, now approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal, marks a major shift in Africa’s broadcasting sector and gives Canal+ full access to MultiChoice’s wide network of more than 14.5 million subscribers across 50 countries.

With this acquisition, Canal+ now controls some of the continent’s most influential media brands including SuperSport, Africa Magic, M-Net, and Showmax. The transaction is expected to be finalized by October 8, 2025, pending final sign-off from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

The French company, a subsidiary of Vivendi SE, began its interest in MultiChoice back in 2020. It quietly built up its stake to 45.2% before launching a full buyout at R125 per share, valuing the company at around $3 billion. With the remaining 55% stake now secured, Canal+ is set to expand its presence in Africa’s fast-growing media and entertainment sector.

As part of the deal, Canal+ has committed to spending R26 billion over the next three years to support local content, protect jobs, and ensure MultiChoice’s operations remain rooted in South Africa. The agreement includes keeping MultiChoice’s headquarters in the country, maintaining investments in South African sports and entertainment, and helping local content creators grow.

To meet South Africa’s broadcasting regulations, which cap foreign ownership of licensed broadcasters at 20%, MultiChoice has established a new entity called LicenceCo. This company will hold the domestic broadcasting licence separately, ensuring that local ownership and control is preserved under national law.

Canal+ says the acquisition is more than a financial investment. The company aims to blend its French-language programming with MultiChoice’s English and Portuguese content, creating a multilingual media network capable of serving Africa’s diverse audience. Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described it as a strategic step towards building a unified, tech-forward media platform for the continent.

MultiChoice Chairman Elias Masilela welcomed the buyout, calling it a show of confidence in the company’s direction and in Africa’s long-term value. “The offer from Canal+ endorses MultiChoice’s 40-year track record and our strategy for growth across the continent. It is a clear signal that Africa remains an attractive market for long-term investment,” he said.

For viewers and the broader tech ecosystem, this deal brings fresh potential. Canal+ is expected to drive more investment into streaming infrastructure, smarter content delivery, and regional partnerships.