How to Build a Streaming Platform That Actually Works in Africa Building a successful streaming platform for Africa requires rethinking so-called Western models entirely. The winning platform will be mobile-first with offline viewing and telco partnerships to address expensive data costs. It must offer flexible pricing (possibly daily/weekly options) and ad-supported tiers that work with local economic realities, while investing heavily in original African content across multiple languages. The untapped opportunity lies in community building—no platform has yet invested in cultivating audiences and developing appreciation for African screen (film, television, digital) storytelling through rigorous journalism, education initiatives, and professional development programs. This is a key differentiator for any serious entrant. Whether it's one unified platform or multiple specialized ones, one truth stands: a viable streaming platform would need millions in investment, patience, and a grounded understanding of local market conditions that vary dramatically across the continent. Last month, Akoroko Premium subscribers received a newsletter that presents a realistic sense of what it would actually take to build a streaming platform for Africa—why Western models fall short, what technical and financial investments are necessary, and how long it might take to gain any real traction. The report also paints a clear picture of why a patchwork of tailored services may work better than a single pan-African solution. To receive it, and more recent deep dives, subscribe at the link (Now with a 7-Day Free Trial!): akoroko.com/subscribe/

Haile Gerima’s Final Battle? BLACK LIONS, ROMAN WOLVES and the Cost of Independence (Campaign Video)

Haile Gerima’s Final Battle? BLACK LIONS, ROMAN WOLVES, and the Cost of Independence Haile Gerima’s "Black Lions, Roman Wolves: The Children of Adwa" is a long-awaited, work-in-progress documentary film series by the acclaimed Ethiopian filmmaker. The project is an epic five-part work (totaling roughly 10 hours) that chronicles Ethiopia’s struggle against fascist Italy during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–1941)​. Gerima has been developing "Black Lions, Roman Wolves" for decades, to present an African perspective on this historic anti-colonial victory. The film remains in post-production, with Gerima actively sharing previews and gathering support for its completion and release​. Read the rest of the story that captures Gerima’s lifelong commitment to African storytelling from an African perspective, the ongoing struggles of being an independent filmmaker, and the contradictions in industry support for African cinema: akoroko.com/haile-gerima-bla…