Netflix Faces Two Big Problems in Africa

You may have read many an article about the growing penetration of smartphones and increased internet access in the large and mid-sized African economies of countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. That doesn’t mean as many people have access to the kinds of robust internet networks that people in the United States, Europe, or countries like South Korea take for granted. That’s a major challenge if you had planned on tossing out your DSTV satellite dish to “Netflix and Chill.” In fact, many people are likely to find themselves Netflix and buffering rather than chilling. The California-based company will face different challenges across various African markets, but they’ll have two big things in common in most countries: spotty internet connectivity and pricey data plans.