In preparation for the upcoming 5th Edition of the OTT Streaming Summit – Africa 2025, taking place from 18 – 19 February 2025 at The Capital 15 On Orange, Cape Town, South Africa, BMA spoke to Graeme Swanepoel, Co-Founder and Executive Producer at G.O.A.T Films.
In this exclusive conversation, Graeme Swanepoel highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing the continent’s OTT landscape, emphasising the importance of localised content, innovative monetisation, and strategic partnerships to unlock Africa’s untapped storytelling potential.
Below is an extra of the conversation:
BMA: What influenced your decision to agree to participate in the OTT Streaming Summit?
Graeme: I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of storytelling and technology, and the OTT space represents such an exciting frontier, especially in Africa. With over two decades in the industry, I’ve seen how content has evolved globally, and I believe that Africa has unique stories and challenges that need to be discussed on platforms like this. Being able to share my journey in creating globally resonant content from Africa made this invitation impossible to decline.
BMA: In concise 3-4 dot/bullet points, please tell us how you see the Content Streaming Space in Africa evolving in terms of its effect on Content Distribution and Monetisation, especially in the context of African market conditions.
Graeme:
- Hyper-localised content Demand: There is an increased emphasis on creating content that resonates with local cultures and languages, driving higher engagement and loyalty among diverse audiences.
- Hybrid Monetisation Models: Adoption of freemium models, ad-supported streaming, and mobile-friendly pricing to cater to varying income levels across the continent.
- Mobile-First Accessibility: The dominance of mobile internet usage will continue to shape how content is consumed and distributed, requiring platforms to optimise for mobile experiences.
- Strategic Partnerships / AFP models: Growth of collaborations between telcos, platforms, and content creators to bundle streaming with data plans, expanding access to underserved regions.
BMA: In your opinion/experience, what particular challenge(s) or issues (s) do players in this industry face, and how do you see it being resolved and overcome?
Graeme: One of the most pressing challenges is infrastructure. Unstable internet connectivity and the cost of data limit streaming’s reach, particularly in rural areas. This can be addressed through more partnerships between streaming platforms and telcos, subsidising data costs or offering bundles tailored to specific markets.
Another hurdle is piracy, which continues to undermine revenue streams. Implementing robust digital rights management systems and advocating for better enforcement of anti-piracy laws will be critical to tackling this issue.
Discoverability is an emerging challenge as platforms grow and audiences face overwhelming content. Leveraging AI to provide personalised recommendations can improve user experiences and ensure that the right content reaches the right audiences.
Finally, while the appetite for local content is undeniable, funding remains challenging for many creators. Streaming platforms can support by investing directly in local production pipelines, nurturing talent, and sharing revenues fairly to sustain the creative ecosystem.
BMA: With all that said, what do you hope fellow participants will take away from this industry summit?
Graeme: I hope everyone leaves feeling excited about the massive opportunities in Africa’s streaming space—it’s a goldmine of untold stories and untapped potential. I’d love for us to have some real “aha” moments about how we can tackle the challenges, but also to remember that this industry is meant to be creative, dynamic, and fun, and it’s important to really push the boundaries in this space to thrive and survive.
To find out more about the event, visit the event website here.
