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Netflix denies rumors of exiting the Nigerian market, reaffirming its commitment to investing in local content. The claims followed comments by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan about canceled projects. Despite challenges from local competitors and economic pressures, Netflix continues to prioritize Nigerian stories and its local partnerships.

Netflix has refuted claims suggesting that it is leaving the Nigerian market, affirming that it will continue its investments in Nigerian content. The rumors emerged following comments by Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan during the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival, where he revealed that Netflix had canceled several projects it had commissioned. Afolayan mentioned that despite the success of the films internationally, Netflix was dissatisfied with their performance in Nigeria, which led to the cancellation of other projects. However, Afolayan did not directly state that Netflix was exiting the country.

These comments stirred speculation, particularly after Amazon Prime departed from Nigeria earlier in 2024, a year after launching a major marketing campaign. In response to the reports, a Netflix spokesperson told TechCabal that the company remains committed to Nigeria and will continue investing in local stories to engage its audience. While the spokesperson did not directly address Afolayan’s claims about canceled films, the conversation highlights growing questions about Netflix's future strategy in Nigeria. The company faces challenges in a market dominated by more affordable alternatives like Showmax, operated by Multichoice.

Since entering Nigeria in 2016, Netflix has invested more than $23 million in the local film industry, with a focus on licensing, co-productions, and original commissions. Despite this, rising inflation and currency devaluation have put pressure on consumer spending, which could affect Netflix’s ability to maintain a strong position in the region.