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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
