MTN One TV launches first original series, 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos

MTN One TV has launched its first original series, a drama titled 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos, at a screening in Cape Town held alongside MIP Africa 2026.

The series is produced by Nigerian filmmaker Mimi Bartels and supported by MTN One TV, the group’s mobile-first, multi-screen streaming platform. Its cast draws on talent from Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana. South African actor Bohang Moeko stars in the production.

Following the launch, the series is available to viewers in South Africa, Ghana and Zambia. MTN says a broader rollout across other MTN markets will follow, without giving a timetable.

The premiere brought filmmakers, cast members and industry stakeholders together to mark the production and what MTN describes as the opportunities for cross-border collaboration in African storytelling.

Burak Akinci, chief executive of MTN Digital Services, said the launch shows what can happen when the continent’s creative talent is paired with digital platforms that widen reach.

“Africa has extraordinary storytellers, talented creators and world-class content,” Akinci said. “We see an opportunity to work alongside the industry, bringing our digital capabilities, market presence and understanding of African audiences to help great stories travel further.”

He said the aim is to build an entertainment platform that creates value for viewers and commercial opportunities for the people and businesses behind the content.

Bartels said the production showed what partnerships can do for a filmmaker’s vision.

“Every filmmaker understands how important it is to have partners who believe in your vision,” she said. “Seeing something created in Nigeria reach audiences across different African markets is incredibly rewarding, and I hope it encourages more opportunities for African creators to share their stories.”

Moeko said working with creatives from different African countries was among the most rewarding parts of the experience.

“We each bring our own cultures, perspectives and experiences, but storytelling has a wonderful way of bringing us together,” he said.

MTN frames the streaming push within its Ambition 2030 strategy, under which it is expanding its digital services business in response to what it calls evolving customer needs and growing demand for digital entertainment. The group says it is working with the creative industry through MTN One TV to connect audiences with content while exploring commercial opportunities for African producers and content businesses.

MTN One TV attended MIP Africa 2026 as a Platinum Sponsor. Alongside the premiere, the platform ran pitch sessions aimed at finding new projects and potential partners.

The announcement does not state subscriber numbers, revenue, production budgets or the size of MTN’s investment in the platform. MTN says it will keep working across the creative ecosystem as it develops the entertainment offering.

The source announcement is published at https://www.mtn.com/mtn-one-tv-backs-african-storytelling-with-first-original-series-launch