The African media and technology landscape is experiencing significant transformations, driven by strategic content globalization efforts, an increasing focus on data privacy, and nationwide initiatives to enhance digital infrastructure. Key among these developments are Canal+'s ambitious plans for MultiChoice's African content, the critical work of privacy expert Motunrayo Adebayo with startups, and Morocco's bold moves to make internet services more accessible and affordable.

MultiChoice, recently acquired by French media giant Canal+, is poised to take its rich catalogue of African-made content to a global audience. Through StudioCanal, its esteemed global distribution arm, Canal+ intends to market top-tier South African productions to international markets. David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Africa, underscored StudioCanal's extensive reach and unparalleled experience in distributing European content worldwide, affirming its readiness to champion African stories beyond the continent. This strategic move aims to leverage MultiChoice’s existing robust local content production capabilities, which saw an investment of $1.17 billion in the last financial year, and adapt it for greater international acceptance and revenue generation in stronger currency markets.

Among the standout productions earmarked for global rollout are the historical drama "Shaka iLembe" and the gritty crime series "Spinners." "Shaka iLembe," chronicling the rise of the legendary Zulu King Shaka, captivated 3.6 million viewers in its premiere week, setting a record for a MultiChoice-produced show, and has since garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim. "Spinners," a co-production by Showmax and CANAL+, delves into the world of car spinning in Cape Town as a young man attempts to escape gang life. It made history as the first African series to compete at Canneseries and has received awards at the Dakar Series, embodying the raw, local energy increasingly sought by global audiences. This initiative by Canal+ also serves to bolster Showmax's competitive standing against international streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, both of whom have previously invested in and championed South African productions such as "My Octopus Teacher" (an Oscar winner) and "Beauty and the Bester" (which topped Netflix charts in the UK). South Africa is emerging as a cost-effective hub for high-budget productions, boasting world-class talent, making it an ideal location for this global content push, even as MultiChoice maintains a focus on "hyper-local" content for its African markets.

Simultaneously, the burgeoning startup ecosystem is confronting the complex challenges of data privacy, a field expertly navigated by Motunrayo Adebayo. Originally a lawyer, Adebayo transitioned into information security after observing the casual handling of personal data by companies. With a Master’s in Information Security, she now guides startups in establishing robust privacy programs, helping them avoid the hefty fines that have plagued larger entities like Meta due to data mishandling. Adebayo emphasizes that privacy is not a universal concept, with requirements differing significantly across sectors such as healthcare and finance. She highlights that even seemingly minor details, from HR files to visitor logs, can lead to critical privacy breaches if not managed properly. Her methodology begins with securing leadership buy-in, ensuring that privacy is integrated into daily operations from the top down. She also assists organizations in mapping their data landscapes, understanding data access protocols, and assessing the security posture of their vendors, stressing the crucial principle: "You can’t protect what you don’t know exists." Adebayo's experiences include overcoming resistance from senior management regarding privacy practices and witnessing severe data negligence, such as job applicants’ CVs being repurposed as roadside wrapping paper. Her core advice to startups is to embed privacy seriously from inception, viewing it not merely as a compliance burden but as a fundamental commitment to protecting individuals.

Further enhancing Africa's digital readiness, Morocco’s telecom watchdog is implementing stringent new regulations aimed at fostering infrastructure sharing among telecommunication operators. This bold initiative seeks to dramatically improve the speed, affordability, and widespread availability of internet and mobile services across the nation. By mandating the sharing of essential resources like towers and fiber optic networks, the regulator aims to significantly reduce operational costs for telcos and accelerate the expansion of coverage, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas. This collaborative approach is seen as vital to bridging the existing digital divide and achieving Morocco’s ambitious national digital transformation objectives. While the concept of infrastructure sharing is not novel in Africa, with several countries experimenting with similar policies, Morocco's current push is distinguished by its scale and timely execution. For Moroccan consumers, these measures promise tangible benefits, including enhanced network quality and potentially lower data tariffs. For telecom operators, it signals a strategic shift, compelling them to focus less on competitive infrastructure build-out and more on innovation in services and delivering superior customer experiences.