Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu has reacted to reports that streaming platform Showmax will be discontinued, urging African creatives and industry players to focus on building sustainable platforms for the continent.
News of the planned shutdown surfaced on Thursday after Canal+, the new owner of MultiChoice Group, announced the decision following a review of the company’s streaming operations.
Reacting to the development, Mo Abudu shared a strong message on Instagram, stressing that the future of African storytelling depends on Africans building their own systems.
“𝐍𝐨 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐔𝐬. 𝐈𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐰𝐧,” she wrote.
According to the EbonyLife Group founder, the situation should serve as a wake-up call for creatives and investors across Africa.
“I know many of you have heard the news about platforms like Showmax closing and have seen other streamers reduce their investment across the continent. Let me say this with complete sincerity. No one is coming to save us,” she said.
Abudu explained that African creators must begin building business models that truly reflect the realities of the local market.
“It is up to us to build sustainable business models that truly work for our market,” she added.
She also highlighted the importance of supporting emerging African-owned streaming platforms, including EbonyLife ON Plus, noting that building a successful digital platform requires patience and long-term commitment.
“At @EbonyLife0NPlus, we are committed to doing everything we can to grow and strengthen our platform. We understand that it is a long journey and we are prepared for the work and patience it requires,” she said.
Abudu further emphasized that Africa’s rich culture and storytelling tradition give the continent the ability to create globally competitive platforms.
“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,” she wrote.
Describing the moment as an opportunity rather than a setback, she concluded with a call for confidence and collaboration across the industry.
“The future is in our hands. Let us build it with confidence, collaboration, and belief.
Local for Local.
Local for Global.”
Showmax, launched by MultiChoice in 2015, operates across several African countries and was designed to compete with global streaming services while promoting African productions.
Following the announcement of its planned shutdown, the company sent an email to subscribers confirming that the platform will be discontinued after a strategic review.
According to the message, the move is aimed at strengthening the company’s digital strategy and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming market.
Despite the announcement, Showmax assured users that there will be no immediate disruption to its services while further details are being finalized.
The development has sparked mixed reactions online, with many users expressing disappointment, while others echoed calls for stronger locally owned streaming platforms across Africa.
