In the evolving world of digital entertainment, few African innovators have redefined an entire industry as boldly as Jason Chukwuma Njoku. As the co-founder and CEO of iROKOtv, Jason built one of the continent’s earliest and most successful video on demand streaming platforms, shaping how Nollywood content is accessed, distributed, and commercialized across the world. His journey reflects the ingenuity, persistence, and strategic vision that continues to set Africa’s digital ecosystem on a global trajectory.
Jason’s rise began with a simple but powerful observation. While living in the United Kingdom, he noticed how difficult it was for the African diaspora to access Nollywood films. According to interviews he granted at the time, this gap sparked an idea that would later transform into a multi-million-dollar innovation. He returned to Nigeria with a singular focus on building an online destination for African stories. The groundwork was demanding, but the vision was clear. By 2010 he had co-founded iROKO Partners, laying the foundation for what would become one of Africa’s most recognized digital entertainment brands.
iROKOtv launched officially in December 2011 and quickly gained global traction. As highlighted by international media, it became one of the first major Africa focused streaming services, eventually earning the moniker Netflix of Africa. Through strategic licensing deals, a growing catalogue of Nollywood titles, and partnerships that expanded its reach to audiences in Europe, America, and across the continent, Jason positioned iROKOtv as a pioneer in African digital storytelling. Investors also took notice, with reported multimillion dollar funding rounds reinforcing the platform’s credibility and its potential to scale.
Before becoming a leading figure in African tech, Jason had already shown entrepreneurial drive. He studied Chemistry at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2005, and ventured into several business experiments before finding his breakthrough in digital media. His success with iROKOtv has since become a case study in spotting underexplored markets and building solutions that serve cultural demand in meaningful ways.
Jason’s impact extends beyond his own company. He has become a key voice in Africa’s tech and creative industries, openly sharing insights on startup culture, investment challenges, and digital infrastructure across the continent. He frequently speaks at global innovation forums, offering practical perspectives drawn from building one of Africa’s most referenced tech startups. His transparency about the realities of entrepreneurship has earned him a reputation as a leader who is both visionary and relatable.
Through iROKOtv, Jason has contributed immensely to the formalisation, global recognition, and commercial repositioning of Nollywood. What was once an industry thriving on informal distribution now has a digital gateway that connects millions of viewers to African films. His work helped elevate Nollywood’s visibility in the global streaming economy, demonstrating how African content can compete in a digital first world.
Jason Chukwuma Njoku remains a defining figure in Africa’s creative and technology landscape. His story is one of leadership, innovation, and cultural elevation. More importantly, it is a reminder of the scale of opportunity that exists when African creators and technologists bring local stories into global spaces with confidence and excellence.
