Chinese Pay-TV firm launches $80 mln investment in Kenya

Chinese digital pay-TV firm StarTimes Media on Monday unveiled $80 million investment to set up the group's Africa headquarters whose completion date is expected at the end of 2015.

Speaking in Nairobi during a ground breaking ceremony for the Group's Africa headquarters and Dubbing Center for Film and Broadcast Television in Kenya, officials said the latest development is StarTimes' key investment in Africa.

Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Arts and Culture Hassan Wario said the government remains committed to progressively easing the way of doing business in the country, attracting increased foreign direct investment and subsequently improving the lives of Kenyans.

"I wish to commend StarTimes Media for this bold step. It is trend setting, seeing that the headquarters will not only house your Africa operations, but also include a production centre that will see the growth of local productions and talents," Wario said.

He said the government will continue to initiate efforts geared towards ensuring businesses flourish in their operations through such efforts as policy and infrastructure development.

According to the Group's President Pang Xinxing, the decision to set up the Africa base in the country was advised by the sound investment environment in the country, a strong economy and the Government's commitment towards attracting increased foreign direct investment.

Pang noted the company's role in promoting economic and social transformation in the country as StarTimes seeks to stamp its commitment to the Kenyan and Africa subscribers at large.

"Since establishing our operations in Kenya, we have found a cordial operating environment that has facilitated the growth of our business. The Kenyan subscribers have equally shown an insatiable appetite for affordable digital television service. It has seen increased uptake of our service which has gone a long way in giving us confidence to set up our Africa operations in the country," said Pang.

The premise will cover 20,000 square metres in Karen, Nairobi. The Base will see the setup of six units including StarTimes African Headquarter, StarTimes Kenya offices, a Film and Television Dubbing Center, StarTimes Broadcast Station, Digital TV research and development centre as well as a Training Center.

StarTimes has established the digital television network in ten African countries so far where the company offers access to premium local and international channels of all genres including news, movies, sports, entertainment, music and documentaries.

The Digital Pay TV provider will also launch two new channels -- Star Sport2 in July and Star Swahili in August.