Brisk Business at DISCOP Africa 4

LOS ANGELES/PARIS: The fourth edition of DISCOP Africa wrapped last week in Nairobi, with an 8-percent increase in sellers’ attendance.

A total of 80 vendors from 25 overseas and seven African countries were on hand at the event. Among the Sub-Saharan African content buyers visiting, 115 of them represented 72 "major" Sub-Saharan TV stations and pay-TV platforms. Companies in attendance included the Indian business group Bharti, which recently completed an $11 billion acquisition of mobile operator Zain’s 42 million East African subscribers and is now looking to identify content suppliers for its future direct to home television services. There was also a large turnout of Nigerian companies, 25 in total. “Close to 120 participants attended our country spotlight on Nigeria,” said Ijeoma Onah, who represents DISCOP markets in Nigeria, “For the first time, we were able to bring 95 percent of Nigeria’s key television players to DISCOP Africa.”

“I am happy to see that over the last two years our DISCOP Africa attendees have been able to establish solid contacts with Africa’s key TV pioneers, who are now in a position to take the continent to the next level of television distribution,” added Patrick Jucaud, the general manager of Basic Lead, organizers of the DISCOP markets. “Recent initiatives such as the $1 billion private equity venture for business investment in Africa set by Bob Geldof, the former Boomtown Rats rocker turned television producer, underlines the importance of the Sub Saharan African region in the global economy and we are delighted that DISCOP markets continue to be at the forefront of this.”

The next DISCOP Africa event will be held February 9 to 11 om Accra, Ghana.