AFRIMA 2026: Global Voices Lead Africa Music Business Summit

African music’s growing influence as a global commercial force will be in focus when industry stakeholders convene in Lagos for the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS), a flagship event of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

The summit is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (WAT) at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, and is expected to draw artists, executives, investors, policymakers and media professionals from across the continent and beyond.

Organised as part of AFRIMA’s broader industry engagement, the forum will examine how Africa can strengthen ownership, infrastructure and monetisation within its fast-expanding music ecosystem. This year’s theme, “Connect, Build, Own: Monetising Africa’s Music Revolution,” highlights the push to convert creative success into long-term economic value.

The event will be hosted by CNN international correspondent and African Voices Changemakers host Larry Madowo, alongside television presenter and actor Mojibade Sosanya. Panel sessions will be moderated by media and creative professionals including Landry Gnamba (Côte d’Ivoire), Nde Ndifonka (Cameroon) and Victoria Nkong (Nigeria).

The keynote address will be delivered by Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, underscoring international interest in Africa’s creative economy.

Confirmed speakers span music, media, law and policy. They include Sipho Dlamini, CEO of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa; Karima Damir of Universal Music MENA; Ghanaian music executive Francis Doku; music rights advisor Mustapha Ettouil; Georg Heritlitz of Sweden; Storm Records founder Olisa Adibua; and Nigerian entertainment executive Bizzle Oshikoya.

Artists and producers taking part include legendary Nigerian producer ID Cabasa, Congolese star Innoss’B, Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, Ghanaian dancehall artist Stonebwoy, and Ivorian rapper Didi B, among others.

Early sessions will focus on building infrastructure for Africa’s creative economy, with discussions on policy frameworks, revenue systems and platforms that support sustainable income for artists. Other panels will explore global career development, international media partnerships, music financing, rights protection and branding strategies.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Mike Strano, AFRIMA Co-Producer and Director as well as Regional Director for Eastern Nigeria, described AMBS as a strategic platform for shaping the future of African music.

He said the summit aims to equip creatives and industry players with the knowledge needed to secure ownership, structure their businesses and benefit fully from the value they generate.