Back in August, MultiChoice once again hiked the subscription fees for DStv subscribers in Kenya and across Africa. The company said these changes were as a result of foreign exchange pressures and rising operational costs. This follows similar hikes in previous years.
But this latest move has once again reignited a familiar debate. Are some African countries paying more than others for the same service?
We compared DStv subscription rates in across key African markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia to see where subscribers are paying the most and try to understand why.
DStv Subscription Prices in Major African Markets (as of August 2025)
| Country | Currency | Premium | Compact Plus | Compact | USD Equivalent (Premium) |
| South Africa | ZAR | R949 | R659 | R419 | ~$54 |
| Kenya | KES | 11,700 | 7,300 | 4,200 | ~$91 |
| Nigeria | NGN | 44,500 | 30,000 | 19,000 | ~$29 |
| Ghana | GHS | 865 | 570 | 380 | ~$73 |
| Uganda | UGX | 320,000 | 185,000 | 120,000 | ~$90 |
| Zambia | ZMW | 1,670 | 1,090 | 720 | ~$70 |
Note: The indicated USD conversions is based on exchange rates on September 2, 2025 as seen on xe.com. Prices may vary slightly by region and over time.
Who Pays the Most for DStv?
Kenya and Uganda top the list when comparing Premium subscriptions in USD. Kenyan subscribers pay around $90.56 and Ugandans around $90. South Africa, where MultiChoice is headquartered, is one of the lowest at $51 per month for Premium.
Nigerians have the lowest Premium cost at approximately $29. This discrepancy raises questions about MultiChoice’s pricing strategy. Is it based on FX flactuations or are other market factors that affect subscription rates.
MultiChoice has said that pricing is influenced by many factors including foreign exchange (FX) pressures, content offering, average revenue per user (ARPU) goals per region.
Reactions across social media and consumer forums have ranged from frustrated to resigned. Some subscribers in Kenya and Uganda are questioning the value of DStv Premium given the rise of alternatives like Netflix and Showmax (also owned by MultiChoice).
Also Read: Ghana Pushes DStv to Cut Prices – Should Kenya Do the Same?
