Johannesburg – Paramount Africa staff in Johannesburg and Lagos have been told their roles may be affected as the company considers shutting down its operations on the continent.
Employees were informed on Tuesday by Monde Twala and Craig Paterson, who serve as co-general managers for Paramount Africa. The move comes amid a global shake-up at the entertainment giant, which is reassessing its pay TV operations and the future of its international cable channels.
The Johannesburg and Lagos offices currently house fewer than 100 staff combined. Paramount’s message to its African team signals a possible exit from the continent’s traditional television market, as the company redirects resources toward its streaming services and more profitable global content.
Twala and Paterson said the changes are part of a broader strategic shift as the industry faces significant disruption. “Our team is not immune to potential changes,” they said in a memo seen by The Hollywood Reporter.
Globally, Paramount has been downsizing. In June, the company cut another 3.5% of its U.S. workforce, adding to a 15% reduction last year. Although those changes were largely focused on the U.S., executives warned that some international roles may also be affected over time.
While Paramount awaits regulatory approval for its merger with Skydance Media, speculation has grown around the future of its smaller regional markets. Africa may be one of the first regions to feel the impact of this global restructuring.
Twala and Paterson described Tuesday as “incredibly difficult,” praising staff for their commitment, creativity and passion. They added that the coming weeks may bring uncertainty but assured employees that their contributions have not gone unnoticed.
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