Netflix has firmly refuted claims that it is planning to exit the Nigerian market due to worsening economic situation and loss of subscribers on the platform. This is despite three publications suggesting that the global streaming giant is exiting Nigeria. Netflix was responding to speculation across the country fueled by comments from Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who spoke at the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival.
Afolayan claimed Netflix canceled several films it had previously commissioned from unnamed filmmakers.
“Three years ago, when we signed the three-film deal with Netflix, it was really exciting,” Afolayan said.
He expressed disappointment that, despite the global success of those films, Netflix appeared dissatisfied with their local returns.
“Thank God we had shot seasons two and three… because all the other people that were commissioned with us at the same time were cancelled,” he added.
However, in a statement to TechCabal on Wednesday, a Netflix spokesperson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying, “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience.”
The spokesperson did not immediately address Afolayan’s claims about cancelled projects. Still, Wednesday’s conversation and social media reactions highlight growing uncertainty around Netflix’s long-term strategy in Nigeria, where rising inflation and currency devaluation have pressured consumer spending power.