MICHAEL MAPONGA H’24
Unlocking a $50B Entertainment Market
Michael Maponga grew up between Harare, Zimbabwe and Dallas, Texas, two vastly different worlds with one shared shortfall: a lack of authentic African storytelling on screen. Despite Nollywood being the second-largest film industry in the world, Pan-African content remained largely invisible on global platforms. As a seasoned actor and media entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience across the U.S., Africa, Europe, and Asia, Maponga saw an opportunity to fix that. In 2015, he founded AfroLandTV, a free, ad-supported streaming platform showcasing Black stories from Africa and across the diaspora. His goal: to give African and Black creators the power to reach global audiences without compromising the integrity of their narratives.
“My dream is to build the largest film studio in Africa, producing some of the most remarkable stories from the continent.”
Enabling Africans to value their stories
THE CHALLENGE: Africa and its diaspora are grossly underrepresented in mainstream film and television. Hollywood often overlooks African stories, or worse, misrepresents them. Meanwhile, content from across the Black diaspora lacks centralized distribution, especially in the U.S., where there is a $50 billion opportunity to serve underserved Black audiences. Black creators face barriers to production, visibility, and revenue. For Maponga, the answer was not just distribution, it was empowerment.
THE PROCESS: AfroLandTV was born out of Maponga’s desire to democratize access to authentic storytelling. The platform curates content from Africa, the Caribbean, the U.S., Europe, and South America, offering over 5,000 hours of Pan-African stories. AfroLandTV currently serves 2 million monthly users, primarily in the U.S., through its app, website, and major distribution partners like Comcast, Roku, Vizio, and Peacock. The platform also runs two 24/7 live TV channels: AfroLandTV and AfroKiddos, reaching audiences through both streaming and smart TVs. AfroLandTV’s ad-based revenue model ensures the platform remains free to access, breaking down financial barriers while maximizing reach.
THE RESULTS: AfroLandTV has attracted backing from Comcast NBCUniversal and signed major ad deals with Amazon Prime, Nissan, and General Motors. Despite operating with limited capital and a lean team, the company has posted consistent year-on-year revenue growth. In 2024, Maponga expanded his vision by launching Maponga Studios, a production company focused on high-quality Pan-African storytelling. Through it, he aims to build the infrastructure needed for a sustainable African film ecosystem, from script to screen.
Together, AfroLandTV and Maponga Studios represent more than just a media company. They are part of a broader mission to reclaim African narratives, uplift Black voices, and connect global audiences through shared cultural identity. For Maponga, every story told is a step toward changing the way the world sees and values Africa.
LEARN MORE ABOUT AFROLANDTV
AfroLandTV is a streaming service for Black movies and TV from around the world.
Celebrating the global Black diaspora
ABOUT MICHAEL MAPONGA
Maponga has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is an entrepreneur, actor and executive producer with 15+ years of experience in the entertainment industry. His work has spanned internationally from US, Africa, Europe and Asia. The start-up was selected for Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs accelerator in 2020 and Berlinale’s 2020 start-up class.
I AM A HARAMBEAN
Maponga wants to be part of a community that not only challenges but inspires him to evolve as a leader and to drive entrepreneurship and innovation in Africa. He believes that the value of a passionate, Africa-centric support network is immeasurable.
“I want to inspire the next generation of African storytellers whose stories can resonate with and influence millions globally.”