Nigerian media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife Group, has urged African creators, investors, and industry leaders to focus on building sustainable local streaming platforms capable of serving the continent’s growing film and television market.
Her remarks come amid growing concerns within the African entertainment industry following reports that several international streaming services are reducing investment across the region. The development has raised questions about the long term sustainability of content distribution for African filmmakers and producers.
In a statement shared on March 5, Abudu said the continent must begin to take responsibility for the future of its creative economy rather than depend on external platforms. She noted that the decline in global streaming investment should serve as a wake up call for African stakeholders to develop business models designed specifically for local audiences.
According to her, many creators have been following the news surrounding the challenges facing platforms such as Showmax, as well as reports that some global streaming companies are scaling back their operations or content spending in Africa. She described the situation as a reminder that Africa’s entertainment sector must strengthen its own digital infrastructure.
Abudu stressed that sustainable growth in the African film industry will depend on locally built platforms that understand the continent’s market dynamics, consumer behavior, and economic realities. Rather than replicating Western models, she encouraged creators and investors to study global success stories and adapt strategies that can function within African contexts.
The media executive also pointed to EbonyLife ON Plus, the company’s indigenous streaming platform, as an example of ongoing efforts to develop local distribution systems. She acknowledged that the journey remains at an early stage but said the platform is committed to strengthening its operations and expanding its reach.
Abudu explained that building viable African streaming services will require patience, long term investment, and collaboration across the creative ecosystem. Filmmakers, producers, financiers, technology developers, and policy makers must work together to create platforms that support African stories while generating sustainable revenue.
Despite the current challenges in the global streaming landscape, she described the moment as an opportunity rather than a setback. Africa, she noted, possesses a rich cultural heritage and a deep reservoir of storytelling talent that can drive the growth of the continent’s entertainment economy.
“The future is in our hands,” Abudu said, calling on creators across the continent to approach the task with confidence and collective commitment.
Her statement reinforces a broader conversation already underway within Africa’s creative industry about ownership, distribution control, and the long term value of locally driven media platforms capable of serving both domestic and international audiences.
