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As Africa continues to reshape global narratives, its filmmakers, documentarians, and television producers are stepping into the spotlight with groundbreaking content that celebrates culture, history, resilience, and identity. Within the past decade, a wave of new and returning Pan-African TV series and documentaries are drawing attention for their compelling storytelling, high production value, and unapologetically African perspectives.

These series and documentaries reflect a bold, authentic, and visionary African narrative, breaking away from stereotypes and offering stories that resonate both locally and globally. They showcase the richness and complexity of the continent, from historical glory and cultural revival to futuristic imagination and environmental stewardship.

Whether you’re an African viewer seeking representation or a global citizen eager to understand Africa beyond the headlines, these must-watch productions will inspire, challenge, and educate in 2025 and beyond. Here are 10 must-watch Pan-African TV series and documentaries for 2025. Check them out!

10. Voices of the Soil – National Geographic

Africa Genre: Environmental Documentary | Countries Featured: Zambia, Madagascar, Burkina Faso

This eco-focused documentary spotlights traditional African agricultural practices, climate resilience, and indigenous land knowledge. Featuring rural farmers, spiritual leaders, and environmental activists, Voices of the Soil celebrates the continent’s ecological wisdom and its vital role in addressing global climate challenges.

9. Ubuntu Chronicles – Netflix

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Countries Featured: Pan-African Cast

One of the first Pan-African science fiction series, Ubuntu Chronicles imagines a post-colonial Africa where ancient technology and ancestral wisdom converge. With a united African federation at the heart of its storyline, the series challenges Western futurism and offers an Afrocentric vision of unity, spiritual power, and technological ascension.

8. Reclaiming Africa – YouTube Originals

Genre: Investigative Documentary | Countries Featured: Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon

This bold digital-first documentary series investigates stolen African artifacts, colonial legacies, and the ongoing repatriation battles with Western institutions. Hosted by African historians and activists, Reclaiming Africa is part exposé, part call to action, and fully Pan-African in its vision.

7. Desert Dreams – MBC (Middle East & North Africa)

Genre: Romance/Drama | Countries Featured: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

This cross-border romantic drama follows the lives of young North Africans navigating love, tradition, and ambition in cities like Casablanca, Algiers, and Tunis. With stunning desert cinematography and Arabic-French dialogue, Desert Dreams is a modern-day tale of cultural fusion and generational change.

6. African Innovators – BBC Africa

Genre: Docu-Series | Countries Featured: Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, Nigeria

Highlighting Africa's tech revolution and rising creative industries, this docu-series profiles young inventors, entrepreneurs, and disruptors who are changing the game in fields from fintech to renewable energy. It’s an inspiring look at Africa’s future driven by innovation, not aid.

5. Bantu Rising – Canal+ Afrique

Genre: Historical Drama | Country: Democratic Republic of Congo

This epic series follows the rise of the ancient Bantu kingdoms, blending mythology, history, and folklore into a breathtaking tale of kingship, migration, and resistance. The show uses authentic local languages and costumes, showcasing the continent's deep historical tapestry in cinematic brilliance.

4. Roots Reimagined – Al Jazeera English

Genre: Documentary | Countries Featured: Ghana, Benin, Senegal, Jamaica

Filmed across the Atlantic, this powerful documentary explores the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and how descendants of African slaves are reconnecting with their roots. Through personal stories and spiritual rituals, Roots Reimagined bridges historical trauma with healing, cultural revival, and Pan-African solidarity.

3. The Lagos Chronicles – Amazon Prime Video

Genre: Dramedy/Anthology | Country: Nigeria

Set in the vibrant, chaotic metropolis of Lagos, this anthology series explores modern African identities through interconnected stories of love, hustle, ambition, and class. Each episode highlights a different character, weaving tales from Lekki to Ajegunle and offering both laughter and heartbreak in equal measure.

2. Shanty Empire – Showmax

Genre: Crime Drama | Country: South Africa

A gritty, fast-paced drama set in a fictional Johannesburg slum, Shanty Empire tells the story of a former gangster-turned-community leader fighting systemic corruption, violence, and betrayal. The show’s unapologetic portrayal of inner-city life is layered with powerful performances, tackling real socio-political issues that affect urban African youth.

1. African Queens: The Untold Stories – Netflix

Genre: Historical Docu-Series | Countries Featured: Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt

This captivating series returns for its third season, focusing on lesser-known African female monarchs and warriors. Narrated by powerful African voices, each episode dives into the political and cultural legacies of queens like Queen Amina of Zazzau, Empress Taytu of Ethiopia, and the Nubian queens of Kush. With detailed reenactments and expert analysis, the series provides a long-overdue corrective to Africa’s erased histories.