From Connectivity to Content: Are Africa’s Telcos Becoming the New Streaming Gatekeepers?
Africa’s telcos and the streaming market are becoming increasingly intertwined as operators search for new growth beyond traditional connectivity. After investing billions of dollars in mobile networks over the past two decades, telecom companies are discovering that network coverage alone no longer guarantees higher revenue. Instead, the next battle is shifting toward digital content, customer engagement and payment ecosystems.
The collapse of standalone African streaming platforms, alongside new distribution-led strategies from operators such as MTN, raises an important question: Will telecom companies become the primary gateways to Africa’s digital entertainment economy?
Africa’s Telcos and the Streaming Market Face a New Reality
For years, telecom operators measured success by expanding network coverage. However, that strategy has largely achieved its objective.
According to the GSMA Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report, only about 9% of Africans remain outside mobile broadband coverage. Yet approximately 63% of people living within coverage areas still do not use mobile internet.
This shift changes the industry’s priorities. Instead of investing solely in expanding coverage, operators must now encourage greater digital participation.
At the same time, voice revenues continue to decline while internet-based platforms capture an increasing share of digital value. Streaming services, messaging applications and digital financial platforms rely heavily on telecom infrastructure, but much of the resulting revenue flows to over-the-top (OTT) providers rather than network operators.
Consequently, many telecom companies are repositioning themselves as broader digital service providers instead of remaining connectivity businesses alone.
Why Telcos Are Moving Beyond Connectivity
The challenge facing operators extends beyond subscriber growth.
Although companies like MTN serve more than 300 million customers, many subscribers still rely primarily on voice services. Speaking during MTN’s Capital Markets Day, Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita noted that approximately 45% of MTN customers have never experienced the internet.
He argued that network coverage is no longer Africa’s primary challenge. Instead, increasing digital usage has become the next frontier.
“One of the observations that we’ve reflected on is we’ve been so focused on connectivity and we’ve done a good job on coverage. I think the next frontier is how do we develop the digital services ourselves that we can have our customers consume.”
As data consumption continues to rise, operators increasingly want to capture more value beyond simply selling internet access.
MTN One TV Reflects a Distribution-First Strategy
The launch of MTN One TV in June 2026 illustrates this strategic shift.
Rather than competing directly with global streaming giants through exclusive content alone, MTN is leveraging its greatest strengths: customer relationships, billing infrastructure and mobile money.
Available across 16 African markets, the platform combines free-to-air programming, subscription packages, advertising-supported content and pay-per-view options.
More importantly, customers can pay through airtime deductions, Mobile Money and locally supported payment methods.
This approach addresses one of Africa’s biggest barriers to streaming adoption—limited access to international payment cards.
Unlike previous partnerships with services such as Disney+ and Viu, MTN now owns both the customer relationship and the payment experience.
According to Selorm Adadevoh, MTN Group’s Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer:
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation. Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies.”
Distribution May Matter More Than Content
The struggles experienced by standalone streaming platforms suggest that owning premium content alone may not guarantee commercial success.
Showmax, for example, reportedly recorded a trading loss of $294 million in 2025 before its eventual shutdown in early 2026.
Meanwhile, telecom operators already possess several structural advantages:
- Extensive subscriber bases
- Established billing relationships
- Mobile money ecosystems
- Existing customer trust
- Nationwide network infrastructure
These assets enable operators to distribute digital entertainment more efficiently while lowering customer acquisition costs.
Global streaming companies continue investing in African productions. Nevertheless, reaching customers, processing payments and maintaining affordable subscriptions remain significant challenges across many markets.
As a result, distribution increasingly appears to be the more defensible long-term asset.
Africa’s Telecom Industry Is Embracing the Platform Model
MTN is not the only operator pursuing this strategy.
Across the continent, telecom companies are expanding into digital entertainment:
- Airtel Africa has operated Airtel TV since 2020.
- Vodacom launched the Value News Network in 2025.
- Canal+ distributes Netflix across 24 Francophone African markets.
Collectively, these moves demonstrate that operators are evolving beyond connectivity providers into digital platform businesses.
Rather than focusing solely on network access, they increasingly control content discovery, payment systems and customer engagement.
Regulation Will Shape the Next Phase
This evolution also introduces new regulatory questions.
Competition authorities are paying closer attention to digital platforms that control market access.
New COMESA regulations already give regulators greater authority over digital gatekeepers. Similar discussions may eventually extend to telecom operators if they begin favouring their own content ecosystems over competing services.
Balancing innovation, investment incentives and fair competition will therefore become increasingly important.
The Future of Africa’s Streaming Market
The future of Africa’s telcos and the streaming market will likely depend less on producing blockbuster content and more on controlling digital distribution.
Telecom operators continue investing billions of dollars in fibre networks, mobile towers, subsea cables and payment infrastructure. Integrating streaming services into those ecosystems allows them to deepen customer relationships while creating new revenue opportunities.
Ultimately, the companies that own customer access, billing systems and digital distribution channels may hold the strongest competitive advantage.
The next battle in Africa’s streaming market is no longer simply about producing better content. It is about owning the infrastructure that connects creators, platforms and consumers.
