NAIROBI (KENYA) – Netflix Inc is coming out with more African-made content and is joining hands with telecoms operators to enable potential subscribers make payments in an easier manner.
The online content streaming behemoth has around 193 million subscribers around the world and it is looking at expanding in Africa. It is also seeking ways to overcome hurdles, including slow and expensive internet and inadequate payments infrastructure.
“Given the low credit card penetration across the continent … we have partnered with local telcos … for their customers to be able to add Netflix subscriptions to their bills,” said Netflix’s head of original programming for Africa, Dorothy Ghettuba.
They have already tied up with Vodacom and Telkom South Africa and are looking for collaboration with more firms.
Ghettuba said costly high-speed internet in some countries is also an issue, adding that the streaming firm is trying to address that issue by enabling wi-fi downloads for later viewing.
Netflix has greater penetration in South Africa and Nigeria and is now eyeing the Kenyan market.
Multichoice Group of South Africa has an edge over Netflix in the pay TV market in the continent.
Apart from entertainment channels showing movies, soap operas and documentaries, they have also started online streaming service Showmax to compete with Netflix.