Video entertainment group MultiChoice has made some changes to its board as French media giant Canal+ officially takes control of the South African-founded company.

The merging parties today announced that the mandatory takeover offer by Canal+ for the shares of MultiChoice Group it does not already own has become unconditional, with all necessary regulatory conditions complete.

According to the firms, Canal+ is now in effective control of MultiChoice Group and will start the integration process, creating a global media and entertainment powerhouse, serving over 40 million subscribers across close to 70 countries.

South African competition authorities recently approved, with conditions, the proposed multibillion-rand transaction.

This, after Canal+ made a mandatory offer to acquire the MultiChoice shares it does not own, for a consideration of R125 per share.

As of the close of business on 19 September, Canal+ directly owns 200 030 591 (46%) of the shares of MCG (excluding treasury shares).

In addition, acceptances in respect of a further 9 767 641 (2.2%) of MCG shares (excluding treasury shares) have already been tendered to Canal+ in terms of the Canal+ offer prior to the publication of the finalisation announcement. Canal+ is, therefore, in effective control of MCG.

All the shares which are still to be tendered into the Canal+ offer, which is now unconditional, will further increase Canal+’s shareholding in MCG.

“The acquisition of MCG by Canal+ marks the largest transaction ever undertaken by Canal+, cementing the combined group’s position as a global media and entertainment company,” says the French media giant.

The combined group will serve more than 40 million subscribers across close to 70 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, supported by a workforce of approximately 17 000 employees.

In South Africa, Canal+ and MCG have committed to a robust package of public interest measures. These include supporting firms controlled by historically disadvantaged persons and small, micro and medium enterprises in the South African audio-visual sector, as well as maintaining funding for local general entertainment and sports content produced by South African creators.

The firms note that the integration of MCG and Canal+ will now start to take place.

For MultiChoice customers, all subscription and billing arrangements will remain the same.

New board takes over

The MCG board has made certain changes to its composition and leadership team to allow for suitable Canal+ representation, while maintaining its independence, the companies say.

The new MCG board, which includes a majority of independent directors, has been constituted to ensure stability through the transition while seeking to introduce fresh skills and international expertise, and will oversee a renewed commercial drive in pursuit of sustainable growth, they add.

With effect from the release of the finalisation announcement today, 22 September, Maxime Saada takes the helm as chair of the new MCG board, with Elias Masilela appointed lead independent director.

The executive team includes David Mignot as chief executive officer, Nicolas Dandoy as chief financial officer, and Jacques du Puy as an executive member.

Independent non-executive directors Kgomotso Moroka, Louisa Stephens, Deborah Klein, and James du Preez add governance depth and external expertise.

A majority of the new MCG board (Masilela, Adv Moroka, Stephens, Klein and du Preez) served as independent non-executive directors of MCG previously, and will continue to serve as independent non-executive directors.

The new directors (Saada, Mignot, Dandoy and du Puy) were appointed by the MCG board, in accordance with the memorandum of incorporation of MCG, with effect from the release of the finalisation announcement today.

The remaining members of the previous MCG board (Calvo Mawela, Timothy Jacobs, Christine Sabwa, Dr Fatai Sanusi and Andrea Zappia) resigned from the MCG Board with effect from the release of the finalisation announcement today.

“Canal+ and MCG express their deep appreciation for the vital role they played in building the company and for their leadership, alongside the rest of the board, in securing this transformative transaction,” the statement reads.

Going forward, David Mignot and Nicolas Dandoy will respectively be CEO and CFO of the Canal+ African operations, which includes MCG.

These operations across the African continent will be chaired by Mawela, the outgoing CEO of MCG.

The outgoing CFO of MCG, Jacobs, will continue to hold a senior position in the finance department of the combined group.

In addition, a general meeting of MCG shareholders will be convened in the coming weeks to vote on proposals to elect Anant Singh (independent non-executive director), Amandine Ferre (executive director) and Mireille Kabamba (non-executive director) as new directors of MCG, and for shareholders to confirm the appointment of the other new directors referred to above.

Important step forward

Says Saada: “Today marks an important step forward for Canal+, as we begin to integrate MultiChoice to create a group with enhanced scale, reach and creativity.

“Our combined company is unique, a true global media and entertainment powerhouse, serving more than 40 million subscribers across close to 70 countries. This combination increases our ability to invest in creative and sporting content throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. We will be able to leverage the diverse talent which sits throughout the group to bring to life compelling local and international stories, both from our in-house production studio STUDIOCANAL and global platforms, and the best national and global sports, all on a world leading platform.

“As we step forward together, I am pleased we have delivered on a key part of the strategy we set out as we became a listed company in our own right last year, strengthening our position in the highest-growth pay-TV markets in the world – Africa, while continuing to deepen our leading position in Europe.

“I want to thank the teams at Canal+ and MultiChoice who have made this transaction a reality. We will now begin to integrate MultiChoice, delivering greater value for all stakeholders. I look forward to providing the market with a more detailed update on the strategy of our combined group during the first quarter of next year.”

Mawela, chair of Canal+ Africa, adds: “Today we are starting an exciting new journey, one that will bring fresh opportunities for growth and success for our company and the entire African media industry.

“Over the past three decades, we’ve built something special – grounded in innovation, resilience and a shared commitment to bring great content to our audiences. Going forward, this commitment remains unchanged to our audiences everywhere.

“The new combined leadership team brings a strong vision and deep expertise to the whole Canal+ Africa business, which will take the group to greater heights. Through our combined scale, shared strengths and expanded capabilities, we are set to deliver more value to our customers, great entertainment for our audiences and ongoing support to the communities we serve.”

David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Africa, comments: “As a combined company, we are building on strong foundations to create a media and entertainment powerhouse to serve African consumers. I am proud to lead Canal+’s operations across the continent, including our operations in South Africa.

“Canal+ and MultiChoice have both been pioneers, and we are now uniting our cultures of excellence, creativity, technology, and storytelling to create something unique.

Together, we will harness digital innovation, from streaming and mobile platforms to advanced distribution, to expand access, enhance experiences, and bring compelling programming to more homes, while giving Africa a stronger voice on the world stage.”

A new levy on radio, television, and other electronic devices imposed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has been met with widespread criticism from residents and business owners, who described it as an oppressive and ill-timed “multiple taxation” that threatens the survival of businesses in the nation’s capital.

The controversy stemmed from the recently enacted AMAC Radio and Television Licence Bye-Law (No. 19) of 2024. Demand notices, seen by our correspondent, were already being served to occupants of homes and business owners across the municipality.

The notices demand full payment within 21 days, warning that failure to comply is a punishable offence that could lead to arraignment before a Magistrate Court and the possible sealing-off of the affected premises.

The law mandates an annual licence fee for anyone who owns or controls a radio, television, or “other items of the same or similar kind.”

The fees vary drastically, targeting everything from large corporations to individual households.

According to the law’s schedule, large banks and multinationals (Category B) are to pay N1,000,000 annually.

Medium-sized businesses like supermarkets, hotels, and telecom companies (Category C) face bills between N50,000 and N200,000.

Most controversially, residents living in duplexes, flats, bungalows, and self-contained apartments (Category D) are also required to pay between N3,500 and N20,000 per dwelling

In an interview across the Area Council, the sentiment was overwhelmingly negative.

Many questioned the rationale behind the tax, especially amidst a severe economic downturn.

Mr Chike Okonkwo, a restaurateur in the Jabi district, received a notice classifying his business under Category C. “This is unbelievable. I am already paying ten different taxes and levies to local, state, and federal agencies.

“Now, AMAC wants me to pay for the small television in my customer waiting area? What exactly is this payment for? Are they providing electricity or signal for it? This will simply force me to increase the price of my food. The customer ultimately suffers,” he said.

For residents, the levy looks like a targeted attack on home comforts. A resident of a 3-bedroom flat in Gwarinpa, who wished to remain anonymous, asked, “Are we now to pay for the right to watch NTA or listen to the radio in our own homes?

“What is the difference between this and the infamous radio licence of the colonial era? With the high cost of living, this is an insult to the average Nigerian just trying to get by.”

Legal experts have also raised concerns. A public affairs analyst, Barr. Rotimi Samuel, questioned the law’s vagueness. “The phrase ‘other items of the same or similar kind’ is dangerously broad.

“Does it cover smartphones, tablets, laptops, or Bluetooth speakers? This gives AMAC officials excessive power to interpret the law arbitrarily and harass citizens during their ‘inspections’,” he said.

Business owners warned that the levy will further dampen the already challenging business environment in Abuja.

“The message this sends to investors is terrible. It signals that the local government is more interested in creating new avenues for revenue extraction than in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“This constant fear of arbitrary levies and the threat of having your business sealed is a major disincentive,” said Nkechi Okoro, a beauty salon owner.

The threat of a N10,000 fine or one-month closure for corporate bodies, as stated in the law, is seen as particularly draconian for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) already struggling to stay afloat.

Residents and business owners are calling for an immediate review and possible suspension of the levy.

They are demanding a public campaign to explain the necessity of the levy and what the generated revenue will be used for, rather than just issuing demand notices with threats.

They also demanded a clear and exhaustive list of what constitutes “electronic devices” to prevent extortion and harassment by enforcement officers, and a suspension of the levy, especially for residential homes and small businesses, given the current economic hardship in the country.

When contacted for comment, a representative from the AMAC Radio and Television annex office in Jabi declined to speak, directing all inquiries to the council’s main secretariat.

Kingsley Madaki, senior special assistant on Media and Publicity to the AMAC chairman,  explained that the radio and television licence has existed since the Micah Jiba-led administration in AMAC and is not a new item introduced in the council’s bylaw.

“It is under section four schedule of the 1999 Constitution and it is under Tax and Levy. So, it is not a new item introduced by this government; it has been there. Anybody that contravenes that section of our bylaw shall be fined.

“Our agents going round are meant to visit corporate and residential bodies to check and ensure that they pay accordingly. All corporate bodies are meant to pay the tax. If you have a radio or television, you must pay the license,” he said.

As the 21-day deadline looms for those who have received notices, many were left wondering whether to pay a levy they consider unjust or risk the severe penalties, including the seizure of their homes and businesses.

Credit/ The leadership

CNN African Voices Changemakers this week beams its light on celebrated author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The 30-minute magazine programme is sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom.

The author was engaged by the show’s anchor, Larry Madowo, at Nsukka, where she spent her childhood at the same staff quarters of the University of Nigeria, where the legend of literature, Chinua Achebe, lived.

Arguably Africa’s most prolific contemporary writer, Adichie’s compelling story of grit and talent promises to inspire the audience, as it does her readers across the globe. The special package premieres on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with rebroadcasts on Sunday, September 21, at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Monday, September 22, at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.; as well as the following weekend, Saturday, September 27, at 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; Sunday, September 28, at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; and Monday, September 29, at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Her narratives, beginning with Purple Hibiscus, query stereotypes, re-evaluate identities, and honour African traditions. Her two prose offerings, Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, as well as Dream Count, the new one in the works, confirm her deep interests in the values that make Africa and its traditions and cultures unique and relevant in a fast-evolving world. Her books also accentuate feminism, heritage, and authenticity.

Globacom’s continued collaboration with African Voices has further given credence to the programme’s celebration of the African essence, its excellence, talents, creativity, and originality.