Streaming giant Netflix has launched a free subscription plan – but only for users in Kenya with an Android phone.
The ad-free plan, which is rolling out to users in Kenya now, is part of Netflix's attempts to get more users in the African market.
When users sign up, no payment information is required – all they need to do is confirm they're 18 or over, enter an email address and create a password.
There's a catch though – the free option only has around one-quarter of all content that's offered with a paid subscription.
Shows that are included in the tier are 'Blood & Water', 'Money Heist', 'Lupin', 'Dynasty', 'Bridgerton', 'Army of the Dead', 'The Witcher', among others.
Netflix, which streams in more than 190 countries, has previously taken steps to boost usage in Africa, including creation of a paid mobile-only plan and partnerships with local telecom operators to ease payments.
With 209 million subscribers around the world, Netflix is the world's biggest streaming service, but the African continent is seen as an untapped goldmine of users and one of its final frontiers in its bid for world domination.
MailOnline has contacted Netflix regarding whether a similar plan would be rolled out to other countries in Africa, or to other continents.
If you're based in Kenya, you can enjoy Netflix on an Android phone for free. However, you'll only have access to about one quarter of the total content that's available on the streaming site
The streaming service only has 1.4 million subscribers on the African continent, according to Digital TV Research, a London-based industry forecaster – a fraction of the 13 million in the UK and 74 million in North America.
Digital TV Research predicts Netflix subscriptions in Africa will soar to 15.06 million by 2026, up from 5.11 million expected at the end of this year.
It also projects Netflix to lead subscription video on demand services on the African continent with 6.26 million paying customers in 2026.
Netflix has been available in Kenya and other African countries since its widescale international expansion back in 2016, but the new plan suggests Kenyans users are yet to give it a try.
Cathy Conk, director of product innovation at Netflix, outlined the new plan in a blog post published on Monday.
'At Netflix, we want everyone to be able to enjoy the suspense of "Blood & Water", the romance of "Bridgerton" and the adventure of "Army of the Dead",' she said.
'Now we’re giving audiences in Kenya the chance to experience these stories for themselves – completely free of charge.
'If you've never watched Netflix before – and many people in Kenya haven't – this is a great way to experience our service.
'And if you like what you see, it’s easy to upgrade to one of our paid plans so you can enjoy our full catalog on your TV or laptop as well.'
Conk said she hopes many of the people who try the free plan 'love Netflix so much that over time they upgrade to a full, paid subscription'.
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