The vibrant city of Nairobi buzzed with industry leaders, and innovators on June 25, 2024, as it hosted the Nextv Series East Africa Conference, a premier event orchestrated by Dataxis at the Panari Hotel.
This gathering, dedicated to exploring the dynamic landscape of television and digital media in East Africa, attracted key players and visionaries in the entertainment industry eager to share their insights on the trends and future of local content creation, monetization strategies, and technological innovations.
From left Moderator Betty Kiptum (Business Editor at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation), Myke Mwai (Head of Content, StarTimes), Guy Kamgaing,(Founder and CEO of StarNews Mobile), and Aggrey Mugisha (CEO, Albayan Media Limited).
Monetizing Local Content: A Key Theme
One of the conference’s highlights was the panel discussion on “Monetisation of local content on digital platforms.” This session featured Guy Kamgaing,(Founder and CEO of StarNews Mobile), alongside Aggrey Mugisha (CEO, Albayan Media Limited) and Myke Mwai (Head of Content, StarTimes). Moderated by Betty Kiptum (Business Editor at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation), the discussion explored the growing importance of local content for African audiences.
Guy Kamgaing emphasized the potential of local content creation as an investment opportunity, citing the success stories on StarNews Mobile. He highlighted the importance of producing relatable and hyper-localized content that resonates with viewers’ everyday lives and communities.
“Ultimately, if people like what they see, they are going to pay for it,” commented Kamgaing, elaborating on StarNews Mobile’s strategy for monetization. Myke Mwai also touched upon the growing popularity of short-form videos optimized for mobile consumption. Aggrey Mugisha showcased how producers earn directly from his platform.
From left, moderator, Tamima Ibrahim (Marketing Director, StarTimes), Kevin Kaija (General Manager Afromobile), Philipp Hoffmann (Founder & Managing Director, TidPix), and Timothy Odhiambo Owase (Chief Executive Officer Kenya Film Commission).
Power of Partnerships
Another critical takeaway from the conference was the highlighted power of partnerships and collaboration in content creation and distribution. Panel Speakers including Kevin Kaija (General Manager Afromobile), Timothy Odhiambo Owase (Chief Executive Officer Kenya Film Commission), and Philipp Hoffmann (Founder & Managing Director, TidPix), moderated by Tamima Ibrahim (Marketing Director, StarTimes) collectively noted, that forming strategic alliances is crucial for competing effectively against global giants and reaching diaspora audiences.
Fawzia Ali (Chief Consumer Business Officer, Safaricom) shared success stories on how partnerships and collaboration have enabled seamless customer journeys and experiences.
Key Takeaways and Resources
The Nextv Series East Africa Conference in Nairobi reaffirmed the region’s potential as a vibrant hub for local content creation, underscoring the importance of producing culturally relevant narratives. Delegates gained valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the audiovisual content, and gaming space. By nurturing a collaborative and innovative ecosystem, the conference set the stage for continued innovation and growth in East Africa’s media landscape.
The conference covered a wide range of topics beyond content monetization and partnerships.
Attendees gained insights into:
- The evolving satellite TV market in East Africa.
- How broadcasters can embrace the streaming era and reach new audiences.
- Strategies for navigating the digital ecosystem and the app revolution.
- Content production for social media platforms.
- Competing with global giants in the video space.
The detailed presentation by Dataxis is available here
Attendees had the opportunity to network with key players in the industry, including representatives from Deutsche Welle, Airtel, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Standard Group PLC, Yango, Citizen, Safaricom PLC, Havas Media Network, AfroMobile, Pixsel, Kenya Film Commission, Bosi, and StarTimes. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to advancing the media industry in East Africa.
Fawzia Ali (Chief Consumer Business Officer, Safaricom)
Bosi had a conversation with some of the delegates and this is what they had to say;
“ We have been delivering our products across the African continent, including East Africa, for over a decade. This conference provided valuable insights into key market trends and the perspectives of major players in this industry. It will assist us in achieving our goal of consistently offering the best solutions for our customers. We sincerely appreciate Dataxis for hosting such a fantastic event! “ Kristian Hildingsson | Sales Manager SmarDTV Corporation
Many thanks to Dataxis and their team, including Beatrice Chambac, Priscilla Tirvengadum, and Léa Zouein, for orchestrating such a remarkable event. Their contributions with the generous sponsorship from DW, ensured a well-organized platform where industry professionals could exchange knowledge and forge valuable connections, making the conference a grand success.
Looking Ahead: Nextv Series Southern Africa
As the curtains closed on a day rich in dialogue and discovery, anticipation builds for the Next conference. Mark your calendars for October 15th, 2024, when the Nextv Series Southern Africa will take place in Johannesburg. Visit the Dataxis website for more details.