YouTube: We’re committed to growth of musicians, creators in Africa

YouTube has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of Africa’s creator ecosystem and spotlighting and celebrating the artists and creatives who are driving the growth of Afrobeats and Africa’s music industry.

The American online video sharing and social media platform gave the reaffirmation in a statement in which it announced a series of events to run throughout the month of May in celebration of Africa month.

According to the statement, content creators in Africa will receive support from YouTube through virtual and in-person training and workshops to help them grow their channels and improve their skills.

“These include a Creator 360 virtual workshop, which will allow African content creators to collaborate and share skills, and in-person Creator Day workshops, which will be led by industry experts and help aspiring creators learn the skills they need to continue thriving on YouTube,” it read.

“YouTube will also offer workshops under its Future Insiders Program to empower budding producers and songwriters with hands-on training taught by seasoned producers such as Sarz and Musa Keys.”

The statement said the YouTube Africa day concert, in partnership with Idris Elba, will return for the third year in a row as part of the Africa month lineup.

The concert will include an in-person event in Nigeria that will be live-streamed on YouTube, featuring some of the continent’s hottest artists.

The concert will once again commemorate Africa Day by using music as a platform to showcase African culture.

“We’re incredibly proud at YouTube to provide a platform that shares Africa’s creativity with the rest of the world. From music, fashion, and beauty to the latest trending movements, YouTube plays an important role in the emergence and expression of Africa’s unique cultural stories to local and global audiences,” said Alex Okosi, managing director, emerging markets, YouTube EMEA.

“By commemorating Africa Month through these impactful initiatives, we continue to spotlight, and elevate the work of creators and artists who are at the forefront of the continent’s creative explosion.”

YouTube’s longstanding commitment to the creator industry in Africa is evident in initiatives such as the #YouTubeBlackVoices Funds and the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100 million fund designed to reward creators who make creative and unique Shorts for their contributions.

Here are YouTube Music’s Africa Month activities below.