The acquisition of MultiChoice Group has received final regulatory approval, clearing the way for the French media conglomerate to take over Africa’s leading pay-TV provider, which owns DSTV and GOTV.
According to Reuters, Canal+ has offered ZAR 125 ($7.11) per share in cash to purchase all remaining ordinary shares of MultiChoice that it does not already hold.
Part of the approved agreement includes public interest conditions aimed at boosting the inclusion of historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) and supporting small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) within South Africa’s audiovisual sector. The commitments also secure continued investment in local sports and entertainment content.
The companies are set to implement a structural framework announced in February that aligns with the local ownership requirements of South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act. This involves spinning off MultiChoice’s South African broadcasting license into a separate, majority HDP-owned entity.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described the competition tribunal’s green light as “the final stage in the South African competition process,” adding that the merger will enable both firms to scale operations, expand into high-growth markets, and optimise costs and resources.
In a related statement, MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela called the decision a “significant milestone,” highlighting the shared strategic goals and community-focused mission of both organisations.
The transaction is anticipated to conclude by October 8.