MultiChoice Under Pressure in Nigeria and Ghana Over Pricing, Regulatory and Economic Strains
Pay-TV operator MultiChoice is facing mounting challenges across West Africa, especially in Ghana and Nigeria, amid public outcry over its subscription fees, regulatory scrutiny, and worsening economic conditions, according to a column by Okoh Aihe in Vanguard.
Ghana Pushes Back
In Ghana, consumer dissatisfaction over high DStv subscription rates led to intervention by government regulatory bodies. MultiChoice agreed to reduce its DStv prices following pressure from the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovation, and the National Communications Authority.
Observers noted that the Ghanaian Premium bouquet costs around US$83, significantly higher than comparable plans in Nigeria (about US$29), fueling perceptions of unfair pricing.
Nigerian Headwinds
In Nigeria, MultiChoice is being challenged on several fronts:
Subscription Rates, Consumers complain that the prices for DSTV and GOTV packages are unaffordable. The company has already come under fire from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Declining Revenues & Subscribers, In the financial year ending March 2025, MultiChoice Nigeria’s subscription revenue dropped by 44% to about US$197.7 million (from US$356 million in the previous year), mainly due to inflation and economic troubles that forced many subscribers to leave. The company lost about 1.4 million subscribers in this period in Nigeria, accounting for most of the subscriber loss across Africa.
Regulatory & Legal Pressure, The Nigeria Data Protection Commission fined MultiChoice ₦766 million (≈US$500,000) for alleged data breaches involving intrusive collection and cross-border transfer of personal information without appropriate safeguards.
Underlying Causes & Broader Impacts
Aihe points out that many of the company’s troubles stem from broader economic forces: inflation, currency depreciation, and a shrinking real income for many Nigerians, for example, the official minimum wage is some ₦70,000, while the exchange rate has weakened significantly.
The cost of doing business (including content licensing, cross-border operations, and regulatory compliance) further inflates subscription fees. Consumers, meanwhile, find themselves having to choose between essential needs and entertainment.
What’s at Stake & What Needs to Happen
Aihe argues that MultiChoice must engage more transparently with regulators and customers to rebuild trust. Pricing must be adjusted to reflect local economic realities.
Regulators are closely watching. The FCCPC and National Broadcasting Commission in Nigeria are under pressure to act in the interest of consumers. Their interventions could include pricing oversight, fines, or stricter regulation.
The outcome of Ghana’s negotiations offers a case study: government leverage and data transparency helped push MultiChoice to lower fees. Such models may guide similar engagements in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Conclusion
MultiChoice’s challenges are no longer just business risks — they are increasingly political and regulatory. With customers facing high costs in economically tough times, the company’s ability to adapt its pricing, maintain regulatory compliance, and show responsiveness may determine whether it can stabilize its business in Nigeria and across Africa. The wider lesson, according to observers, is that multinational broadcasters must better align their strategies with local realities if they wish to sustain operations.