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Streaming giant Netflix has laid off Ben Amadasun, its African content lead of seven years, as part of a sweeping global restructuring. The major downsizing will see the company reduce its global workforce by 6%, affecting roughly 1,000 employees in its largest round of retrenchments to date amid slowing subscriber growth.
Amadasun operated out of Netflix’s European headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A well-regarded Nigerian media executive, he originally joined Netflix in 2019 as director of content acquisitions and co-productions for Africa.
Over his tenure, he rapidly climbed the corporate ladder, earning a promotion to director of content for Africa, expanded responsibilities as director of content for the Middle East and Africa in June 2022, and eventually elevated to vice-president in August 2023.
His departure is set to send shockwaves across Africa’s TV and film ecosystem, where he served as a crucial bridge between local storytellers and the international platform. As a result of the job cuts, Amadasun will miss his expected appearance at the upcoming MIP Africa and Fame Week Africa TV market in Cape Town, where he was previously a key speaker.
Despite his exit, Netflix is maintaining its presence at the Cape Town industry events next week. Kaye Ann Williams, Netflix’s director of scripted content for sub-Saharan Africa, was unaffected by the retrenchment.
Based alongside Amadasun in Amsterdam, Williams will step up to lead Netflix’s content strategy across the continent. She will represent the platform during its panel session and host the scheduled producers’ networking event.
Insiders confirm that beyond Amadasun’s high-profile exit, Netflix’s operational roadmap and financial commitment toward original African content remain unchanged.
With Williams taking the reins, Netflix aims to reassure African filmmakers and partners that its strategic focus on original regional programming will continue unabated despite broader macroeconomic pressures on the streaming giant.
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