In a bold move set to reshape entertainment access in Africa, CANAL+ and Netflix announced on June 6, 2025, the extension of their strategic partnership to 24 French-speaking African countries.
This groundbreaking deal makes CANAL+ the first pay-TV operator in the region to bundle Netflix content with its subscription services, starting in July 2025.
The collaboration promises to bring millions of global and African hit shows to millions of viewers, enhancing content accessibility and user experience across the continent.
CANAL+ becomes Africa’s first pay-Tv distributor of Netflix
CANAL+ has long been a dominant player in African pay-TV, operating in 25 countries with 8 million subscribers and offering 28 channels tailored for African audiences.
This new agreement with Netflix marks a historic first: CANAL+ will now distribute Netflix’s original and popular series directly through its platform in 24 Francophone African countries.
Subscribers can watch Stranger Things, La Casa de Papel, Lupin, Emily in Paris, Squid Game, Blood & Water, Young Famous & African, Unseen, King of Boys, Anikulapo, Blood Sisters, and Kings of Joburg seamlessly.
Pascale Chabert, Chief Content Acquisition Officer at CANAL+, emphasised the significance of this move: “A few years after our distribution agreement in France and Poland, I am delighted to extend our historic partnership with Netflix to Africa. Our millions of African subscribers will benefit from a unique offer, bringing together the best of CANAL+ and Netflix content in a joint package. This new agreement demonstrates CANAL+’s ability to extend its unique super-aggregation model beyond the European continent.”
This super-aggregation model combines premium content providers into a single, convenient subscription, streamlining user access.
Netflix’s strategic push to deepen African market reach
For Netflix, this partnership is a strategic step to deepen its footprint in Africa, a continent with a rapidly growing internet user base and a youthful population hungry for diverse content.
Despite recent subscription price increases in key markets like Nigeria and South Africa, Netflix remains committed to investing in African content and expanding its reach.
Emma Lloyd, Vice President of Partnerships for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Netflix, stating, “We’re thrilled about this extension of our partnership with CANAL+ which will allow us to reach even more people across French-speaking African countries. It’s a big win for entertainment fans and part of our ongoing mission to make the member experience even better.”
Netflix has invested $175 million in African content between 2016 and 2022, focusing on collaborations with prominent African creators such as Nigeria’s Kunle Afolayan and Mo Abudu.
Netflix will use CANAL+’s huge distribution network to present its acclaimed shows to a broader audience, blending worldwide hits with regionally compelling projects.
Recently, CANAL+ acquired MultiChoice, the largest pay-TV operator in English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, to strengthen its position as a primary content aggregator. With over 400 live channels and a robust digital platform, CANAL+ is well-positioned to integrate Netflix’s offerings and meet the evolving entertainment preferences of African viewers.
This partnership arrives amid rising competition in Africa’s streaming market, with new entrants like MTN preparing their platforms. The CANAL+-Netflix alliance thus represents a powerful combination aimed at capturing a growing audience by offering a blend of international and African content through accessible and user-friendly platforms.
This expansion of the CANAL+ and Netflix partnership signals a new era for entertainment in Francophone Africa. Starting in July 2025, millions of subscribers will have an enriched content experience.
The deal underscores Africa’s increasing importance in the global streaming ecosystem and highlights the continent’s growing appetite for diverse, high-quality content.
