MORGANABLE LIFE & CULTURE / FILM
MTN has launched its first original television series, 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos, as the telecommunications group expands its digital entertainment business and seeks to give African stories a wider audience.
Akure —
MTN has launched its first original television series, 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos, as the telecommunications group expands its digital entertainment business and seeks to give African stories a wider audience.
The series premiered at a special screening in Cape Town on October 30, alongside the 2026 edition of MIP Africa. Although the story is set in Lagos, the launch took place in South Africa, bringing together cast members, filmmakers and other industry professionals.
The production marks a new step for MTN One TV, the company’s mobile-first, multi-screen streaming platform. MTN says the service will use its reach and digital capabilities to connect viewers with locally produced content.
The company also wants to create commercial opportunities for African producers and other businesses working in film and television.
Nigerian filmmaker Mimi Bartels produced the comedy-drama, which brings together creative talent from Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana.
The series follows three young people as they navigate relationships, dating and the complications of modern life in Lagos.
Its central characters are Kaven, her childhood friend JT, and Ralu, a housemate who has recently separated from his wife.
Each character approaches relationships from a different position. Kaven is open about her feelings, while JT takes a more distant approach to romance.
Ralu, meanwhile, must balance his desire to date again with his responsibilities towards his children.
Through their experiences, the series explores love, friendship, family and the choices people make as their lives change.
The Lagos setting gives the story a recognisable Nigerian backdrop. However, the production’s wider cast and creative team also reflect the cross-border approach that MTN wants to encourage.
By bringing professionals from different African countries together, the company hopes to support stories that can connect with audiences beyond their country of origin.
Following its launch, the series became available on MTN One TV in South Africa, Ghana and Zambia.
MTN said it plans to extend access to other markets as its rollout continues. However, the company has not described the initial release as a Nigeria-only launch.
MTN Digital Services chief executive Burak Akinci said the project shows how African creative talent can work with digital platforms to reach more viewers.
He said the company wants to support storytellers while using its market presence and understanding of local audiences to help content travel.
He also said MTN aims to build an entertainment service that benefits viewers and creates business opportunities for the people behind the productions.
The launch took place during MIP Africa, an industry gathering that brings together professionals from television, film and other creative sectors.
The event gives producers, broadcasters, distributors and streaming platforms opportunities to meet, present projects and discuss partnerships.
MTN One TV participated as a platinum sponsor and used the programme to promote its original series and engage with content creators.
Beyond the premiere, MTN One TV also held pitching sessions for producers interested in developing content for the platform.
These sessions give filmmakers a chance to present projects directly to the company’s content team.
The approach could help MTN identify stories that suit its target audiences while giving independent producers another route to potential commercial partnerships.
The initiative follows MTN One TV’s wider effort to expand its entertainment offering. The platform combines African stories with live television channels and international programming.
Its mobile-first design reflects the way many viewers access entertainment through smartphones and other connected devices.
Depending on the market, its viewing options may include free content, advertising-supported access and paid services.
For MTN, original productions can help distinguish the platform in a competitive streaming market.
Viewers have more options than ever, while global and local services continue to compete for attention. A steady supply of relevant stories may encourage audiences to return to a platform.
At the same time, local productions can help streaming services build stronger relationships with filmmakers and rights holders.
The move also comes as African film and television producers seek more ways to finance, distribute and monetise their work. Many creators have strong ideas but face difficulties securing production budgets, reaching new audiences and earning steady returns.
Digital platforms can offer another distribution channel, although success depends on fair commercial terms, effective promotion and access to viewers.
MTN’s strategy therefore extends beyond commissioning or showing a single programme. The company says it wants to work with the wider creative industry and develop opportunities for producers and content businesses.
Its participation in industry events and pitching sessions may help it identify projects at different stages of development. However, a pitch or screening does not automatically guarantee that a project will receive funding or a distribution deal.
The series also gives African audiences an opportunity to see a story rooted in Lagos through a production involving talent from several countries. Such partnerships can encourage the exchange of skills and production experience.
They can also help creative teams understand what audiences in different markets enjoy, while preserving the local details that make a story distinctive.
Still, the long-term impact will depend on audience response and the platform’s ability to sustain its investment in original content. MTN will need to attract viewers, support creators and build a reliable catalogue.
Producers, in turn, will need clear agreements on rights, payment and distribution so that successful projects can create lasting value.
With 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos, MTN has taken its first step into original series production through One TV.
The launch signals the company’s growing interest in African entertainment and the business opportunities around it. As the platform expands into more markets, the series will provide an early test of how well locally rooted stories can travel across the continent.
