Showmax, Africa’s homegrown streaming platform, has become the first streaming service to introduce a Kiswahili-language interface for Tanzanian users.
This milestone brings the company closer to its goal of being the top streaming service in Africa.
This achievement adds to a series of industry firsts for Showmax, including being the pioneer in enabling mobile downloads for offline viewing, launching the first mobile-only plan, introducing a standalone Premier League mobile package, and being the first streamer to broadcast a local concert.
UNESCO reports that Kiswahili is the most widely spoken African language in sub-Saharan Africa and ranks among the world’s top 10 languages, with over 230 million speakers.
Showmax in Kiswahili
The launch of the Kiswahili interface aligns with Showmax’s broader strategy to enhance user experience across Africa.
In February 2024, Showmax relaunched in South Africa through a partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky, running on a completely revamped app powered by Peacock.
Since then, streaming platform has expanded its localised relaunches in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania, focusing on local content and improving accessibility through tailored payment solutions.
“Local content and offerings in local language continue to resonate strongly across the continent,” said Byron du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MultiChoice South Africa.
He added, “Nine of the 10 most-streamed titles on Showmax last year were local, because our audiences want to see content that relates to their local cultures. Adding Kiswahili as a navigation option makes Showmax even more accessible and personal to a large market segment in Africa.”
Africa’s Largest Producer of Local Content
Showmax’s parent company, MultiChoice, holds the title of the largest producer of African content globally, investing in local storytelling across multiple languages.
From Kiswahili and isiZulu to Hausa, Yoruba, and Afrikaans, MultiChoice produces content in more African languages than any other provider worldwide.
Showmax continues this legacy with original productions and popular series in various local languages, including:
- isiZulu – Adulting
- IsiXhosa – Soft Life
- isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, and Sesotho – Youngins
- Afrikaans – Koek
- Yoruba – Wura
- Kiswahili – Pepeta
Beyond making African content widely available, Showmax also offers a curated selection of top local and international entertainment.
Exciting releases for February include:
- South Africa’s The Mommy Club S3 (15 Feb) – The record-breaking reality series
- The White Lotus S3 (17 Feb) – The highly anticipated global hit
- Suits: LA (24 Feb) – The spinoff of 2023’s most-streamed series
- Tanzania’s Salaam Dar (14 Feb) – A must-watch music and dance film
- Nairobi Bachelor (Fridays) – Kenya’s most buzzed-about dating show
By expanding its language options and reinforcing its local-first strategy, Showmax is solidifying its status as a premier Pan-African streaming service.
