The Story ⚡
At a recent panel at the AFRIFF 2025 in Lagos, a striking revelation unfolded: U.S. producer Dr. Stephen Love highlighted that Netflix allocates a significant portion of its African production budget to South Africa rather than Nigeria. This preference stems from the fragmented nature of Nigerian production crews and their often insular cliques. Despite Nollywood’s prolific output, the dominance of South Africa in Netflix’s original content is undeniable.
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The panel discussion titled “afCFTA Non-Aligned Trade: Unlocking Mutually Beneficial Opportunities for Africa and Global Partners for TV Content” presented a comprehensive overview of Netflix’s investments across the continent. Data indicated a clear trend: South Africa enjoys a substantial preference in the allocation of Netflix resources.
Notably, South Africa’s established production infrastructure and cohesive service companies equip them to meet Netflix’s demands for high-caliber, large-scale originals. In contrast, Nigeria’s reliance on various individual crews often results in inconsistencies.
Comparative Snapshot:
| Aspect | South Africa | Nigeria |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Share | Bulk of funding | Smaller portion |
| Original Commissions | Higher number | Lower number |
| Licensed Content | Moderate | Extensive |
| Internet Access | Broader and more reliable | More limited |
| Production Incentives | Long-standing rebates | New policy incentives |
| Key Productions | Blood & Water, One Piece, etc. | Aníkúlápó, Blood Sisters, etc. |
The advantages enjoyed by South Africa include established tax rebates aimed at attracting international projects, enabling a smoother filming process. These programs lower overall production costs and promote diversity within teams. On the other hand, Nigeria’s recent National Film Policy 2025 seeks to introduce similar incentives, but implementation remains a challenge.
Infrastructure Counts
The production landscape in South Africa boasts facilities such as top-tier studios and skilled crews, crucial for meeting global standards. Major adaptations for projects like the live-action One Piece utilized these extensive resources effectively. In contrast, Nigeria’s industry often favors quicker, lower-budget productions. Broadband limitations and high data costs further restrict streaming and wider audience access.
Dr. Love, reflecting on his own experiences producing Shadow Force, noted that while South Africa’s infrastructure was appealing, Nigeria lacked a network of trusted service providers. This lack hampers larger-scale production opportunities.
Market Dynamics
Market factors also illuminate disparities between the two countries. South Africa’s viewing audience is notably more inclined toward premium global content supported by a more stable economy. This affluence allows Netflix to commission more originals in South Africa. In Nigeria, Nollywood excels in producing high-volume, culturally relevant films that resonate deeply with local audiences but often at a lower production cost. Consequently, Netflix tends to license pre-existing titles from Nigeria rather than investing in new projects.
Commitment to Development
Both South Africa and Nigeria have initiated various strategies to foster talent development. Netflix has invested in training programs and partnerships aimed at building robust talent pipelines in South Africa, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable production. Nigeria has also made strides with workshops and funding; however, economic pressures and currency fluctuations create significant hurdles.
Challenges within Nigeria’s framework are multifaceted. Issues arise when deal intermediaries shortchange creators, while piracy continues to plague revenue opportunities. The structured industry in South Africa, along with a robust intellectual property framework, serves to cultivate an environment where commitments can flourish.
Dr. Love emphasized a critical point during the panel discussion: "The mindset of cliques in Nollywood is what is holding it back." He called for a cultural shift toward greater collaboration, suggesting that this could unlock new avenues for creativity and investment.
Netflix African Originals So Far
In 2025, Netflix’s offerings of African originals remain modest yet compelling, with a significant concentration on South African productions. This year, Nigeria has seen no new releases on the platform, highlighting an imbalance in opportunity. Some of the notable Netflix South Africa Originals for 2025 include:
- Bad Influencer
- Gone
- Unseen Season 2
- Fatal Seduction 2
- Kings of Joburg
- Marked
Insights into the Future
South Africa’s advantages lie in its infrastructure, tax incentives, and market receptivity to global-style productions, creating a cycle that supports continued investment and output. Nigeria, celebrated for the volume and authenticity of its storytelling, is on the cusp of a transformation driven by the new film policy reforms aimed at enhancing production capabilities.
The landscape remains dynamic. The efficacy of Nigeria’s National Film Policy 2025 in addressing structural challenges could unlock greater opportunities, pairing the narrative richness of Nollywood with enhanced production scales. Only time will tell if these shifts will equip Nigeria to close the gap or if South Africa will maintain its stronghold in the spotlight.
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