Tag: Music Business Academy

The Music Business Academy for Africa has announced a major organisational shift, adopting a new name — the Creative Business Academy for Africa (CBA for Africa) — to reflect a broader focus on the continent’s expanding creative economy.

Founded in 2020, the academy has trained more than 1,500 professionals for the music industry. The rebrand marks an expansion of its curriculum to include film and fashion, in addition to music, as part of efforts to strengthen capacity across multiple creative sectors.

The change coincides with the launch of the academy’s 2026 programme, themed IMPACT and An Ecosystem Template, which will operate as a full business simulation model. Participants will be trained in an environment intended to mimic real-world industry operations.

Founder of the Creative Talent Foundation, Godwin Tom, said the transition to CBA for Africa is aimed at preparing trainees for an increasingly interconnected creative landscape. He noted that a broader understanding of music, film, and fashion has become essential for navigating the sector.

The 2026 programme, an initiative of the Creative Talent Foundation, will feature four components: Music Business Programme, Film for Music Programme, Fashion in Music Programme, and Talent Development Programme. Participants will take on roles across an integrated ecosystem and receive training from industry professionals within an incubator-style structure.

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He said, “This evolution to the Creative Business Academy for Africa is more than a name change; it’s a strategic response to the demands of the modern creative economy. Success today requires a horizontal understanding of how music, film, and fashion intersect. That is why our 2026 ‘IMPACT’ program is a full business simulation. We are creating a unique incubator where theory meets market reality, forging professionals who are not just knowledgeable, but are proven, results-driven ecosystem builders.”

The academy said its approach will continue to be anchored on three pillars: learning, practice, and results.

Programme Director Elizabeth Sobowale said the expansion represents an effort to extend the academy’s impact beyond music and respond to the needs of emerging creative industries across the continent.

Sobowale said, “This transition to CBA for Africa is about scale and substance. We’ve proven what’s possible within music, and now we’re expanding that success across other parts of the creative industry. The future of Africa’s creative economy belongs to those who can connect ideas, industries, and impact, and that’s exactly what we’re training our people to do.

“Developed in collaboration with Prof. Carlos Chirinos of New York University’s Music Business Programme, the CBA for Africa curriculum continues to be a global programme with a distinctly African focus, supported by the Creative Industries Initiative For Africa (CIIFA).”

The Music Business Academy for Africa, in collaboration with SACEM, recently organized a groundbreaking workshop at Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos. 

The event delved into the crucial role of Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) in African Francophone and Anglophone music markets.

Bringing together prominent stakeholders in the African music industry, the workshop addressed critical issues such as music rights, royalty collection, and the challenges faced by creators. 

Its goal was to propose solutions for building a more streamlined and efficient music industry across the regions.

In his welcome address, Godwin Tom, Founder of the Music Business Academy for Africa and Managing Director of Sony Music Publishing, West Africa, set the tone for impactful discussions, highlighting the evolving significance of PROs in the continent’s dynamic music landscape.

The workshop featured two sessions, moderated by Victor Ekpo and Nkechukwu Otike-Obidi, respectively: Session 1, moderated by Victor Ekpo, (Senior Legal and Business Manager at Zaeda Oracle), featured in-depth discussions on the significant role PROs play in the African music industry. 

Guest speakers,including Isioma Alexis Idigbe (Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors), Mayowa Ayilaran (Director-General, MCSN), Godwin Tom (Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing, West Africa), and Akotchaye Okio (International Development Officer for Africa at SACEM), highlighted cases whereby PROs ensure creators receive fair compensation for their work.

Contributions from representatives of SACEM, COSON, and MCSN further explains the importance of robust legal frameworks in protecting music creators’ rights.

In Session 2, moderated by Nkechukwu Otike-Obidi, (Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs at Papaya Studios); panelists delved into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African music creators. 

The session explored critical topics such as cross-border licensing, economic disparities, and infrastructure deficiencies affecting royalty collection in both Francophone and Anglophone regions. 

A lively debate ensued on bridging the gap between the two markets, with input from Kizito of MAVIN (Licensing and Publishing Manager at Mavin Records), Olayinka Ezekiel (Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Ltd), Chinedu Angus Chukwuji (CEO at PurpleBlue Entertainment Solutions Limited).

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This workshop highlighted SACEM’s commitment to adding value to authors, composers and music publishers. 

The International Development Officer for Africa in SACEM, Akochaye Okio said:

“We are very enthusiastic about this partnership  with MBA for Africa.It will enable Sacem to contribute to empowering the next generation of creators and professionals in Nigeria and bridge the gap between the local industry and the international market.By joining forces with MBA for Africa, Sacem confirms its commitment to genuinely strive to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria and Africa so that songwriters, producers and publishers can thrive.

”Music Business Academy for Africa’s partnership with SACEM for this event was a perfect alignment that buttressed their shared vision of adding value to the African music and Entertainment industry.”

“Our collaboration with SACEM for the workshop on the role of performance rights organizations in Francophone and Anglophone music markets, aims to emphasize our commitment to people, information and opportunities to our alumni and community within the Anglophone and Francophone markets.

“This event was a very important event and the conversations between the stakeholders invited discussed vital details, Kini-Abasi Edet, Head of Operations for the Music Business Academy for Africa echoes “The SACEM workshop was a pivotal moment for the Music Business Academy for Africa. 

“The insightful conversations among stakeholders shed light on vital aspects of performance rights organizations and

their evolving role in the African music markets. 

“This collaboration reinforces our commitment to equipping talent with the knowledge and networks needed to drive sustainable growth in the industry,” 

Assistant Programme Director of the Music Business Academy for Africa, Pokyes Jan said.

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where attendees had the chance to interact with the panelists, followed by closing remarks that encouraged further collaboration between African and global music industries.