The Africa Music Business Summit will take place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. West Africa Time at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together artists, music executives, investors, policymakers and media professionals to discuss strategies for growing Africa’s expanding music industry.
The summit serves as a key event of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and will focus on the theme “Connect, Build, Own: Monetising Africa’s Music Revolution.” Admission is free, but registration on www.afrima.org is mandatory, organizers have announced.
CNN African Voices Changemakers host Larry Madowo will host the summit alongside popular television host and actor Mojibade Sosanya as co-host. Moderators include Landry Gnamba from Cote d’Ivoire, Nde Ndifonka from Cameroon and Victoria Nkong from Nigeria. Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria Anna Westerholm will deliver the keynote address.
The speaker lineup features prominent figures from across the global music industry. Confirmed participants include Sipho Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside Karima Damir from Universal Music’s Middle East and North Africa region. Music executive Francis Doku from Ghana and Moroccan music publisher Mustapha Ettouil, an international music rights advisor, will also contribute their expertise.
African music stars participating include legendary Nigerian music producer ID Cabasa, Ghana’s dancehall artist Stonebwoy, Congolese superstar Innoss B, and Tanzanian performer Juma Jux. Industry veterans Olisa Adibua, founder of Storm Records, and music executive Bizzle Oshikoya will share insights alongside Ivorian rapper Didi B.
Panel discussions will examine infrastructure development for revenue generation, exploring policies and systems needed to transform musical talent into sustainable income. Sessions will address ownership of creative narratives, rights protection, branding strategies and revenue generation methods.
A session titled “Recipe for Global Stardom” will explore international success pathways for African artists, covering talent development, global positioning, touring, music distribution and building careers beyond short-term achievements. Another discussion on global media and music will focus on how storytelling, exposure and international media partnerships can help African music reach new markets.
The summit will feature a fireside chat on financing the African music ecosystem, addressing investment models, access to capital, and methods for artists, labels and creative entrepreneurs to attract funding for business expansion.
Mike Strano, Co-Producer and Director of AFRIMA and Regional Director for Eastern Nigeria, emphasized that the summit has become a critical platform for shaping the future of African music, noting that while African music is one of the continent’s strongest cultural exports, talent alone is not enough.
The summit forms part of a week-long celebration running from January 7 to 11, 2026, which includes the Music Icons’ Night, community outreach initiatives, school visits, a cultural tour of Lagos, the AFRIMA Music Village outdoor concert, and the awards ceremony.
