In a significant move for African sports media, Ariya Networks has successfully acquired the exclusive broadcasting rights for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Nigeria. This landmark deal represents a major strategic entry for the newly launched global streaming and broadcasting service into the continent's competitive sports media landscape.
A New African Voice in Global Media
The announcement was made by Dr. Idris Olagoke Badmus, Chief Executive Officer of Ariya Networks, during a press conference held on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Dr. Badmus positioned the acquisition as a core part of the company's mission to build a dominant, African-owned global media platform that corrects the pervasive underrepresentation of Black narratives worldwide.
"We are 1.6 billion Black people in the world, yet the world treats us like a minority," Dr. Badmus stated. He highlighted that Ariya Networks is now one of only six major global news organizations, but with a crucial difference: a dedicated focus on the social economy, culture, innovation, and collaboration within African and diaspora communities, rather than following traditional political media templates.
He was critical of mainstream international coverage, noting, "CNN has one correspondent covering the whole continent, and they only go where there is disaster. If there is no disaster, there is no Africa. We want to change that narrative by reporting our successes, talents and innovations."
AFCON as a Strategic Launchpad
The Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off on December 21, 2025, will serve as Ariya Networks' high-profile introduction to a massive African audience. All matches will be broadcast live on two dedicated Ariya Sports channels. The platform will also offer comprehensive on-demand streaming, allowing viewers to replay matches, watch highlights, and access expert analysis.
"AFCON came as an opportunity for us to introduce our intention," Dr. Badmus explained. He described Ariya Networks as a unique hybrid model, combining live television with on-demand streaming—akin to a fusion of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and traditional broadcasting. The service currently boasts six live TV channels and over 300 available titles.
For Nigerian viewers, the company has introduced a three-tiered subscription model:
- Free: Basic access tier.
- Basic: Expanded content offering.
- Premium: Full access to all live sports and on-demand library.
All tiers have been priced to be affordable and accessible. The platform is available on smart TVs, Android, and Apple devices via major app stores. The AFCON broadcast license covers 32 markets within Nigeria, a limitation based on current channel capacity rather than content restrictions, with assurances that no key matches will be missed.
Beyond Football: A Long-Term Vision for African Sports
Dr. Badmus outlined ambitions that extend far beyond football broadcasting. He announced plans for the Ariya Boxing Classic, set to launch in June 2026. This televised tournament will feature boxers from eight West African nations and is designed with a clear five-year goal to produce world champions.
He argued that the underdevelopment of African sports leagues is not due to a lack of talent but a deficit of investment and dedicated platforms. "The difference between African sports and European sports is not talent; it is direction and intention," he said, citing the abundant potential in nations like Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
Dr. Badmus challenged the continent's consumption habits, stating, "If we spend half the energy we use watching European football on our own continent, we will develop ourselves."
The platform has seen remarkable early traction, garnering approximately 400,000 downloads in its first few weeks even prior to major promotional campaigns. For Dr. Badmus and Ariya Networks, this venture is more than a business subscription service. "It is about communication in Africa," he concluded. "It is about finally telling our own stories, in our own voice, on our own platform."
