The news:
Netflix invested 71% of its total
investment in sub-Saharan Africa in South Africa.
According to Netflix’s socio-economic
impact report, South Africa got $125 million, while Nigeria got $23 million.
South Africa also had the most content
on the list of the best-performing content from Africa.
Although Nigeria had more licenced
movies on Netflix than any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa
got the lion’s share of the $175 million Netflix has invested in the region.
According to Netflix’s socio-economic
impact report, it has injected $175 million into sub-Saharan Africa since 2016.
In South Africa, it invested over $125
million in production between 2016 and 2022. Out of these productions, over 170
were licensed, while 16 were Netflix originals.
In Nigeria, $23 million was invested
in productions, with 283 licenced titles and three commissioned titles.
The
news:
Netflix invested 71% of its total
investment in sub-Saharan Africa in South Africa.
According to Netflix’s socio-economic
impact report, South Africa got $125 million, while Nigeria got $23 million.
South Africa also had the most content
on the list of the best-performing content from Africa.
Although Nigeria had more licenced
movies on Netflix than any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa
got the lion’s share of the $175 million Netflix has invested in the region.
According to Netflix’s socio-economic
impact report, it has injected $175 million into sub-Saharan Africa since 2016.
In South Africa, it invested over $125
million in production between 2016 and 2022. Out of these productions, over 170
were licensed, while 16 were Netflix originals.
In Nigeria, $23 million was invested
in productions, with 283 licenced titles and three commissioned titles.
For Kenya, however, the movie streaming platform did not include details about
the total amount invested in commissioned or licensed titles. It, however,
revealed that it is “a major pillar in supporting and developing the country’s
creative industry.”
It also said that a memorandum of
understanding with Kenya’s Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs,
will serve as the baseline for the development of investment in local content,
media spending, creative infrastructure, and skills.
A very wide funding gap
The available figures for South Africa
and Nigeria show that the funding gap between the two countries was very wide.
Interestingly, the funding —$54
million— for the South African series, One
Piece, was 134% —$31 million— more than the entire amount —$23
million— invested in Nigeria since 2016.
According to the report, the project, —One Piece— was a “major contributor
to job creation and a source of income for many South Africans, particularly
those from historically-disadvantaged backgrounds and Small, Medium and Micro
Enterprises (SMMEs) businesses over a long period of filming.”
It said $48.7 million was spent on 625
local suppliers, which were mostly SMMEs, while $31.5 million was spent on cast
and crew.
In addition to the $125 million
investment in productions in South Africa, Netflix also spent $2.1 million on
initiatives to help develop the South African movie industry.
In Nigeria, it disbursed a $500,000
relief fund to technical crew members who were unable to earn a living during
the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provided 52 scholarships, grants, and funding to
five universities in West Africa.
While South Africa might have gotten
the lion’s share when it comes to production investments, it had the numbers to
show for it.
Out of nine of the best-performing
content in Africa, South Africa had six, Nigeria had two, and Kenya had one.
Source: Techpoint Africa