Media entrepreneur and EbonyLife Group CEO, Mo Abudu, has called on Nigerian and African creatives to focus on developing sustainable local streaming platforms amid declining investment from international services on the continent.
In a post shared on her social media, Abudu emphasized that Africans must take responsibility for creating platforms tailored to their own market. “No one is coming to save us. It’s up to us to build a sustainable business model that truly works for our market,” she said.
Her remarks follow reports that some international companies are scaling back their operations in Africa, prompting renewed attention on homegrown solutions. Abudu noted that indigenous streaming services are still in the early stages and require patience to grow and thrive.
“It’s still very early days for the new indigenous Nigerian streaming platforms that have launched recently. At EbonyLife ON Plus, we are committed to doing what we can to grow and strengthen our platforms. We understand that it is a long journey and we are prepared for the work and patience it requires,” she explained.
Abudu also highlighted Africa’s cultural richness and storytelling heritage as a strong foundation for the continent’s entertainment industry. “We are a continent rich in culture, tradition, and powerful stories. We must learn from global success stories, adapt what works, and create our own pathways because that is exactly what others have done,” she said.
She expressed optimism about the future of African streaming platforms, describing the current environment as an opportunity rather than a setback. “I truly believe we are capable of this. The future is in our hands. Let us build it with confidence, collaboration, and belief. Personally, I see this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Local for Local. Local for Global,” Abudu said.
Her comments underscore the importance of cultivating self-reliance in Africa’s entertainment ecosystem and creating platforms that reflect local content, culture, and audience preferences. By prioritizing indigenous development, African creatives have the potential to establish streaming services that are both commercially viable and culturally resonant.
Abudu’s call to action highlights a broader trend in the continent’s media landscape: the shift toward building resilient, locally-driven infrastructure for storytelling, entertainment, and digital content delivery. She reinforced that success will require dedication, collaboration, and strategic investment, but with a commitment to local creativity, Africa can claim its own space in the global streaming market.
