DISCOP Abidjan Wraps with Uptick in African Indie Prodcos

DISCOP Abidjan concluded with twice the number of independent production companies from African countries in attendance as compared to last year.

Organizers Basic Lead reported that 84 indie prodcos from 18 African countries participated in the event. The market hosted 605 delegates representing 305 companies from 35 countries. Basic Lead also noted that a total of 50 global and regional content distribution companies, as well as suppliers of production services and broadcasting technologies, exhibited on the market floor.

The three-day event focused on distribution and co-production opportunities across Francophone Africa. This included 129 acquisition and programming executives representing 74 public and private broadcasters, pay-TV operators, and streaming and online platforms.

Additionally, this year’s event featured the launch of the “DISCOP Women in Media Summit,” designed to bring together women in the entertainment industry. The stand-alone, one-day program is expected to become a permanent part of the DISCOP Abidjan agenda.

Tim Mangwedi, DISCOP Markets’ director for Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “The market felt stronger than last year with more attention given to regional cooperation. Francophone Africa is on its way to establish itself as a dynamic entertainment and media marketplace—one that is bound by a common language, the same currency and similar cultural backgrounds.”

The next edition of DISCOP Abidjan will be held May 29 to 31, 2019.