Music Business Academy for Africa unveils 2022 edition

The Music Business Academy (MBA) for Africa is set for its second edition with a programme geared towards “developing the next generation of music industry executives” on the continent.

The MBA, developed by iManage Africa, is in partnership with Music Ally and Carlos Chirinos, an academic at the music business department of New York University.

Led by Elizabeth Sobowale, the MBA’s new programme director, its 2022 edition is backed by YouTube Music.

Registration for the programme opened to potential applicants and students on April 11.

Speaking on the project, Addy Awofisayo, YouTube’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “Africa’s music industry produces some of the world’s most creative content and contributes significantly to global pop culture.

“This initiative enables the support of more creatives who will play a critical role in the continent’s fast-growing creative economy.

“Additionally, It paves the way for the inclusion of more perspectives, which benefits Africa and the global musical landscape. It aligns with our values, and we are thrilled at the opportunity to support it.”

Running between July and November, the programme, it is understood, will teach a range of music business trends.

It is set to dwell on the place of technology while giving hands-on experience on releasing and promoting music to create sustainable artiste careers.

The organisers added that the project’s women’s fund already aims to ensure that at least 50 percent of its 2022 participants are female after the programme hit its 40 percent target in 2021.

It is understood that students will get to pick senior music industry executives from different sectors of showbiz.

“As Africans, we must take the creation and distribution of our knowledge into our own hands,” Sobowale said.

MBA for Africa plays an important role in ensuring that the knowledge of Africa’s music, creative and cultural industries are passed on to the future leaders, executives, and creators of the continent.”