Showmax, a leading streaming platform across 44 African markets, is set to elevate its presence in East Africa with the appointment of Emma Gichonge as its inaugural General Manager: Operations for the region.
Emma Gichonge, renowned for her leadership in building high-performance teams across diverse industries and geographies, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Previously associated with start-up tech firm Yutap and Safaricom, where she played a pivotal role in implementing mobile money solutions and migrating the legacy M-Pesa platform, Gichonge is well-positioned to steer Showmax’s operations in East Africa.
As Showmax aims to solidify its position as Africa’s top streaming service, the addition of Gichonge is seen as a strategic move to cater to the unique needs of the East African market. Joe Heshu, Showmax’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed enthusiasm about Gichonge’s appointment, highlighting her experience as invaluable in achieving their ambitious goals.
Ushering in integration with other platforms
In her own words, Gichonge shares her excitement about the dynamic phase Showmax is entering, emphasizing the platform’s global integration with Peacock and its commitment to enriching local content. She also reveals ongoing collaborations with Safaricom to enhance customer experience, including the integration of in-app M-Pesa payments.
Gichonge’s impressive academic background, with a Masters in IT Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology, underscores her commitment to excellence in the tech and product executive role she now undertakes.
Amidst this corporate development, Showmax continues to captivate audiences with upcoming highlights, such as the new season of the Kenyan series Single Kiasi and the drama-packed Second Family. Additionally, the Showmax Premier League plan for mobile promises East African fans an immersive experience as top football clubs vie for the 2023/2024 title.
In essence, Emma Gichonge’s appointment signifies Showmax’s strategic focus on East Africa, aligning with broader expansion plans by its parent company, MultiChoice. The move reflects the platform’s commitment to innovation, global integration, and a customer-centric approach in an ever-evolving streaming landscape.
