CANAL+ to offer Netflix content to 20+ Francophone African countries

If you’re in one of the 20+ French-speaking countries in sub-Saharan Africa, prepare for a major streaming upgrade. Starting in July, French media conglomerate CANAL+ will become the first operator in sub-Saharan Africa to bundle Netflix into its pay-TV offerings, extending a partnership that first launched in France and Poland in 2019.

That’s right—no extra app, no separate bill, and no signup hassles—just access to hits like Stranger Things, Money Heist, Lupin, Squid Game, and even African originals like Blood & Water and King of Boys. It’s a significant move that positions CANAL+ as one of the continent’s top content aggregators, building on a portfolio that already includes over 400 channels.

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For Netflix, the partnership is a strategic gateway into markets where its growth has been slower. While the platform has seen subscriber gains in English-speaking countries like South Africa and Nigeria, penetration in French-speaking Africa has lagged.

This collaboration grants Netflix direct access to millions of CANAL+ viewers in Africa, many of whom reside in French-speaking countries. The model isn’t new, though. It mirrors what Showmax has done by integrating HBO’s blockbuster content into its own service, allowing African audiences to stream major global series through a single platform.

Both strategies reflect a shift: instead of making users juggle multiple subscriptions, streaming giants are finding local allies to consolidate access and grow reach.

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While CANAL+ is already dominant in many Francophone African markets, it has intensified its efforts to expand its presence on the continent. For instance, the company recently acquired a stake in Senegal’s Marodi TV and is actively pursuing a majority share in MultiChoice, Africa’s biggest pay-TV company.

As new challengers like MTN’s upcoming streaming service enter the arena, this CANAL+/Netflix alliance shows both companies are serious about staying ahead. For African viewers, it’s a win: premium global content meets local relevance—all on one screen.

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