OTT service provider OTTera has hired former Novocomedy VP Simon Tchokonté as its new director of business development for Africa.

Based in Paris, Tchokonté will focus on signing distribution deals in Cameroon, South Africa and Tanzania to bring OTTera’s channels into the region. OTTera creates and manages channels for connected TVs and platforms like Roku, mobile devices and online.

Before joining the company, Tchokonté spent nearly a decade at producer/distributor Novocomedy, where he collaborated with OTTera on launching a channel featuring animated short videos, prank videos and hidden-camera shows.

After successfully distributing and monetizing channels in territories including China, LatAm and North America, OTTera is looking to gain a foothold in Africa, where OTT movie and TV revenue is expected to reach US$2 billion by 2027, according to research firm Research and Markets—which would triple its 2021 take of US$623 million.

OTTera has launched dedicated OTTs in partnership with a handful of kidcos, including Indian studio Toonz last year and Slovakian preschool brand ducktv last month.