Africa’s streaming industry is on a steady upward trajectory, with user numbers projected to reach 46.3 million by 2029. Despite this growing audience, the market’s revenue is expected to remain modest in the near term, with $5.4 million forecasted for 2025. Currently, the space is largely dominated by global giants Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, a new contender is preparing to enter the arena with ambitions to reshape the narrative; Kava.
Kava, a new streaming platform born from a collaboration between Inkblot Studios and Filmhouse Group, is set to debut in August 2025. The platform will launch with a robust library of over 30 Nollywood titles, aiming to carve out a niche by focusing on authentic African storytelling.
“Kava is more than a streaming service. It’s a bold new chapter for Nollywood, designed to meet the growing demand for premium, authentic African content and to redefine how the world experiences our stories,” said Chinaza Onuzo, Co-CEO of Kava. “By bringing Nollywood’s finest films and series to global audiences, we’re celebrating African identity, heritage, and creativity in a way that’s never been done before.”
At launch, Kava’s catalog will include popular Nollywood films such as Alakada: Bad and Boujee, Owambe Thieves, What About Us, A Lagos Love Story, and House Job. The platform plans to release new titles weekly and has committed to developing original content tailored for its audience.
Kava’s entry comes at a pivotal moment. Both Netflix and Amazon Prime have recently scaled back their investments in African content, creating an opportunity for a local player to step in. However, the path to success is far from guaranteed. IROKOtv, once a pioneer in African streaming, struggled to monetize its local audience and eventually pivoted to focus on the diaspora market.
While international platforms have made some progress in Africa, they continue to face challenges such as declining consumer purchasing power in key markets. This has fueled ongoing calls for a homegrown alternative—a gap that Showmax has partially filled.
Meanwhile, YouTube has emerged as a popular distribution channel for Nollywood creators, offering accessibility and reach. However, the platform’s inconsistent ad revenue and unpredictable brand sponsorships make it a difficult environment for filmmakers seeking financial sustainability.
Kava’s other Co-CEO, Kene Okwuosa, envisions the platform as a creative haven for African storytellers. But for Kava to truly thrive, it must go beyond offering visibility. It needs to provide meaningful revenue opportunities for creators and deliver a compelling value proposition to viewers who are increasingly selective about where they spend their money.
