Africa’s digital revolution is picking up pace, but significant challenges remain when it comes to streaming and on-demand content. With patchy infrastructure, high data costs, and a shortage of localized content, many operators struggle to deliver services that resonate with their audience. The challenge is not just about connectivity—it’s about creating an ecosystem where content is relevant, accessible, and scalable, particularly as 4G and 5G networks expand across the continent. There’s a critical need for innovative platforms that can bridge the gap between connectivity and content delivery.
For African telecoms, ISPs, and broadcasters, the key question is: how do you deliver world-class streaming experiences without overhauling your entire operation?
MwareTV, with their end-to-end IPTV and OTT solutions, offers a platform tailored to address the unique challenges African operators face. Whether it’s simplifying content delivery through their cloud-based hosting or offering affordable, modular systems that can be scaled as needed, MwareTV provides operators with the tools to stay competitive and meet the growing demand for digital content. Their innovative approach helps remove the complexities of running a streaming service—allowing operators to focus on what really matters: content, marketing, and subscriber growth.
Their platform is particularly notable for its versatility, offering modular, scalable solutions that suit the specific needs of each client. With global reach and local impact, they bridge the gap for African operators by providing cost-effective, scalable technology that empowers them to deliver the content their audiences want.
In Today’s TechTalk Thursday Edition, our Founder and Chief Editor at TechAfrica News, Akim Benamara, in a conversation with MwareTV’s Chief Operating Officer, Cees Van Versendaal, discusses the company’s cutting-edge approach, the unique challenges facing African operators, and how MwareTV is shaping the future of streaming across the continent.
Digital technology is transforming Africa. Ericsson’s research suggests 180 million 5G subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa by 2029. Simply providing connectivity will not be enough: network operators and telcos will depend upon value-added services to attract and retain a strong market share. MwareTV makes it simple and affordable for them to establish and operate the most attractive value-add streaming television. – Cees Van Versendaal, Chief Operating Officer, MwareTV
What does MwareTV offer that sets it apart in the OTT space?
MwareTV removes all the pain points in setting up and running a service, by providing cloud hosting for the core technology platform, including all the functionality you need from asset management, billing and marketing, and even working with established partners to create bespoke packages of channels. Pricing is tied to the number of subscribers, so operators have complete transparency about all the costs for the service, wrapped up in a single contract.
How does your middleware support content recommendation systems?
Streaming services will only succeed if subscribers find it easy to watch the content they prefer. Recommendation software delivers increased viewer retention, greater satisfaction leading to reduced churn, and higher content consumption with the ability to drive further revenues. The key is to give subscribers a broad range of suggestions – to widen their potential consumption, not narrowly focusing on one genre – without compromising best practices on privacy and data protection. For a successful recommendation the video service should include a comprehensive content catalogue. With a limited catalogue, recommendations don’t make sense, as users can easily browse the complete library.
MwareTV’s platform includes a comprehensive recommendation engine. It analyzes large amounts of data, including viewing habits, ratings, and time spent on the platform, to offer personalized content recommendations for every user. If operators work with the recommendation engine, integration into the MwareTV platform can be part of the initial set-up.
How does MwareTV’s platform address the specific needs of African operators with the growth of 4G and 5G?
The MwareTV TVMS (TV Management System) is a cloud-hosted, modular architecture. In practical terms, this means that you can plug in delivery platforms as required, without changes to the rest of the service or requiring additional operating overheads. Channel planners continue to focus on curating the best content and winning subscriber satisfaction, while the backend is configured (in the cloud) with the right codecs and packaging for multiple delivery platforms. This will all depend on taking into consideration what type of OTT service will be offered, for example, will it be mobile based only, or will SmartTVs be included as part of the offering?
The no-code App Builder has been a hit. How is it helping African operators create apps that are scalable and affordable?
Subscribers want to access their preferred content quickly and without fuss; operators want subscribers to know whose service they are using to reinforce loyalty and eliminate churn. Client user interfaces have to be completely intuitive to use, and they have to be fully branded.
Uniquely, what MwareTV has done, is to develop the no-code App Builder as part of the TVMS software platform. The App Builder allows a designer with absolutely no coding knowledge to create user interfaces for all the devices likely to access the system, including iOS, Android and AndroidTV, TVOS, FireTV, KaiOS, Roku, WebOS, Tizen and WebTV.
This is a real game-changer: branded, consistent, intuitive user interfaces are developed in hours and days, not months, without specialist staff and without the need to write a single line of code. Being able to roll out attractive user interfaces, across all platforms, with virtually no investment and in such a short time slashes the time to market for a new service, delivering revenues fast.
How can MwareTV help operators in Africa monetize their infrastructure through your digital services?
The challenge for telcos and network operators looking to offer streaming services is the perception that it needs heavy investments, new technologies and unknown skills. Operators who have made major investments in broadband or high-speed cellular networks use MwareTV software-as-a-service to maximize the use of those networks by offering high-revenue streaming content. With the MwareTV platform subscriptions can be offered from as little as 3 to 4 USD inclusive of an appealing content package.
The MwareTV multi-tenant cloud hosting platform takes all of those issues away. All the hardware, all the low-level software and all the maintenance and investment concerns are handled by MwareTV: the client only has to focus on the market and how best to meet its needs, for example the offered content. – Cees Van Versendaal, Chief Operating Officer, MwareTV
How is MwareTV using AI in its platform, and how do you see it shaping your services in the future?
At IBC we saw many claims of AI solutions, but often this is just a rebranding of existing services. AI can be useful in a couple of ways. When focusing on part of the value chain, examples are often automation of operational aspects, like offline and online translations, and improvement of the user experience. For example, to recognize patterns that can be used for the recommendation engine. Recognizing unseen patterns will also help in the analysis of the use of the OTT service. The TVMS contains all the software hooks necessary to provide close integration with third-party services.
How do the marketing tools and analytics help African operators grow and keep their subscribers?
In many OTT projects, the focus is on technical implementation, and less on marketing. Continuous marketing activities are vital to make the TV service a success. Targeted marketing data and tools are needed. The MwareTV philosophy is that we take away all the mechanics of running a system to free operators to focus on marketing to their subscribers. To do that, you have to understand audience behavior, which is why the TVMS incorporates very sophisticated analytics which go far beyond audience numbers by channel and program.
Subscribers who have not logged on for an extended period of time can be flagged, so marketers can target them with tailored messages or special offers. The system makes it easy to create and deliver dynamic marketing to users at an individual or group level, including push messages and mailings. Starting an affiliate program with influencers on social media can provide mutual benefits to both the influencer and the end user. With marketing being key to any TV service, we anticipate that our marketing module will grow and evolve to meet market requirements.
With privacy concerns in streaming, how is MwareTV ensuring data security while keeping personalization intact?
The protection of personal data is as vital as securing the system against cyber-threats. MwareTV follows legislation and best practices in these areas.
How do you see MwareTV playing a role in Africa’s digital growth?
Digital technology is transforming Africa. Ericsson’s research suggests 180 million 5G subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa by 2029. Simply providing connectivity will not be enough: network operators and telcos will depend upon value-added services to attract and retain a strong market share. MwareTV makes it simple and affordable for them to establish and operate the most attractive value-add streaming television.
Stay Tuned for More Exclusive Interviews
Africa’s streaming landscape is evolving, with innovative solutions helping overcome infrastructure challenges and making content more accessible. As digital connectivity expands with 4G and 5G, operators are finding ways to deliver high-quality streaming services without the need for massive investments. The future looks promising as technology continues to drive growth and opportunity in the region.
Stay tuned to TechAfrica News for more exclusive interviews and insights on the cutting-edge developments shaping Africa’s digital future.
