Showbiz
Why Investing in Local Content is a Catalyst for Growth
Today, more and more people want to see their heritage come to life. They want their stories told and their experiences reflected on screen. With a growing appetite for African content, businesses have a great opportunity to invest in local productions – and consequently local people.
The desire for local content and the drive to consume content allows broadcasters to improve the skills of local production crews, invest in better equipment and facilities, and highlight local talent on- and off-screen, and also adjacent industries.
In Nigeria, for instance, MultiChoice plays a pivotal role in empowering talent and driving economic development. It invests directly and indirectly in the African entertainment industry, providing critical skills support and training.
Its flagship channel, Africa Magic, is a springboard for aspiring and established talents to showcase their skills. This commitment paves the way for new and seasoned entertainment professionals to flourish, elevating the industry and the country as a whole.
Today, it employs more than 1,000 dedicated staff members, and that’s just the beginning. Indirectly, it supports more than 20,000 jobs across various sectors, from production crews to small businesses that thrive in the entertainment industry.
Another example is Kwenda Magic in Angola, a testament to MultiChoice Africa’s commitment to celebrating local culture and fostering growth through top-quality content. Its productions are shifting the dial, with DStv Angola now seen as the main investor in local content in the country.
This channel, meticulously curated for the Angolan audience, has not only exceeded its targets but has also created more than 3,000 jobs. These jobs span the entire spectrum of content creation, from actors to writers, producers, and technicians.
Kwenda Magic showcases the diverse narratives that make the country unique. Investing in local content empowers communities and amplifies their voices, strengthening their collective identity.
Zambezi Magic provides direct and indirect employment opportunities across Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Lesotho and Namibia, producing local content not only to entertain but also to empower communities and stimulate economic development across the region.
In Uganda, Pearl Magic Prime is a respected DStv and GOtv channel. Its success and credibility are underpinned by its broad viewership but also by its significant economic impact.
Since 2021, more than 25 licensed and commissioned shows have graced the platform, employing approximately 1,000 people directly and indirectly. Even more impressively, these productions garnered a remarkable 15 local and international awards in 2022 alone.
Finally, in Namibia, MultiChoice has partnered with the Namibia Film Commission to support female filmmakers, also sponsoring two Namibian female filmmakers to establish a Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT) chapter.
This initiative is part of the broadcaster’s commitment to diversity and gender equality in the film and television industry. By empowering women in film, the company contributes not only to personal growth but also to the broader development of the Namibian film sector.
Beyond the investment in the film industry, MultiChoice has also launched Network TV. This local channel offers current affairs, sports, youth entertainment, as well as travel shows – exclusively for Namibians, by Namibians.
Through this channel, the company has employed 4 people and supported a further 10 through indirect investment. It’s a step towards greater, hyper-localised content that supports a brighter future for Namibia’s creative industry and beyond.
MultiChoice’s dedication to tailoring content to each market is evident through the increasing number of local channels and productions in each region.
At MultiChoice, we believe in improving the quality of people’s lives through what we do. One of our most significant contributions to this mission is our investment in local content – content that speaks to people, tells their stories, and helps build a united, Pan-African identity.
Local content isn’t just a source of entertainment; it’s a powerful force for economic progress and the preservation of our rich cultural heritage. We remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing talent, catalysing economic prosperity and telling African stories for African people.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2019 single released by Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, CKay, Love Nwantiti, has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
This feat has made him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to achieve this.
The song has sustained a global appeal, with listeners from the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom playing it in the last 28 days alone, a proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.
This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.
Love Nwantiti was released on CKay’s EP titled CKay the First. It began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. It then broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as Emo-Afrobeats, fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.
The song, which translates to sweet gentle love in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fuelled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound.
It remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.
CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.
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