While traditional television and radio platforms still dominate in reach, especially in rural and peri-urban communities, OTT content platforms are becoming critical channels for entertainment, education, news, and cultural storytelling.
However, their integration into the media value chain across Africa still raises complex questions around monetisation, regulation, localisation, infrastructure, and audience engagement.
To examine these, industry leaders and stakeholders are set to gather in Kampala, Uganda, for the Broadcasters Convention – East Africa 2025, a pivotal forum to explore the growing influence of OTT content streaming in the region’s media ecosystems.
Set to take place on 27 – 28 May 2025 at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, the industry convention, which is being hosted by the Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) and convened by Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) is coming at a time when shifts in audience behaviour, content consumption patterns, and the proliferation of digital distribution channels increasingly challenge broadcasters across the continent.
Mr. Benjamin Pius, CEO of Broadcast Media Africa, underscores the urgency of a structured industry dialogue. He said, “The East African media marketplace is at a digital inflexion point. The convention is a timely initiative to explore how OTT models can be effectively leveraged within local contexts while maintaining sustainable and inclusive growth for the media industry.”
Among the topics on the agenda are content licensing for digital platforms, partnerships between telecom providers and media houses, regulatory harmonisation across borders, and opportunities for local creators to monetise content through direct-to-consumer models.
Mr Maurice Mushiga, Deputy Managing Director at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, believes public service media is vital in navigating this new terrain. He commented: “OTT is not just a trend — it’s the next frontier for media access and audience engagement. For broadcasters like UBC, understanding how to deliver high-quality, culturally relevant content through digital platforms is essential for future relevance. This convention will provide the insight and collaboration necessary to help us bridge the gap between legacy operations and future-ready delivery models,”
The event organisers expect the Broadcasters Convention—East Africa 2025 will attract delegates from across the media, telecom, technology, regulatory, and creative sectors, offering a platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and strategic planning.
For more information on participating in the Broadcasters Convention—East Africa 2025, visit the website here.
