The Music Business Academy (MBA) for Africa is now accepting applications for its third edition. It aims to train and nurture the continent’s future music business leaders, artists, and executives. This programme is chiefly aimed at African musicians, producers, and music industry professionals who wish to develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the competitive global music industry.
The 2023 Edition of the MBA For Africa program is themed “Bridging the Gap”. It is an initiative of the Creative Industries Initiative For Africa (CIIFA). The CIIFA is a company that focuses on connecting people to information and opportunities within and outside of Africa. This year the Music Business Academy For Africa is unveiling a French and Swahili version of the programme. This is to further its theme of “Bridging the Gap” across the African continent. Additionally, it is in partnership with Music Ally, a global music business knowledge and skills company.
“The Music Business Academy for Africa continues to go from strength to strength. The educational model with its practical formation of its alumni is second to none. Furthermore, its impact on the African music industry is very real. Music Ally stands proudly alongside in support of its mission.”
Anthony Churchman, Commercial Director – Music Ally.
Led by Elizabeth Sobowale, the MBA’s Program director, the academy will focus on “bridging the gap”. This will be done by connecting some of the best young minds across Africa’s constantly growing industry to local and global opportunities.
The program is slated to run for 9 months from July 2023 to March 2024. It will educate students on various music industry trends and technology. It will also offer the practical skills they need to build sustainable careers in the music industry. The program also offers students first-hand experience in creating, releasing, and marketing music to support artists’ long-term careers.
The Music Business Academy for Africa 2023 programme will teach seven modules covering key areas such as Management, Marketing, and A&R with a curriculum developed in partnership with Professor Carlos Chirinos from the NYU Music Business Programme.
“The Music Business Academy for Africa is the only specialized training program for the fast-growing music industry on the continent. Not only does this program give you access to the most up-to-date knowledge, and it also gives students access to networking opportunities to meet colleagues in a creative and entrepreneurial environment. This program is certainly a much-needed capacity building program for the creative industries in Africa.”
Prof. Carlos Chirinos Ph.D.
Music and Global Health Associate Professor, New York University, USA.
The programme is basically created for innovative creatives who want to take advantage of and capitalize on the numerous opportunities in the continent’s music and entertainment sectors.
This year, MBA For Africa will continue with its annual “Beneficiary Fund” and “Women’s Fund“. This seeks to ensure at least 50% of participants in the program are women. The Women’s Fund hit its 40% target last year with support from brands like Linkfire, VBank, and YouTube.
“YouTube is committed to supporting the development of next generation talents and careers in the music industry. We are happy to renew our partnership with MBA For Africa for a second year. We are proud of the work the platform has done in contributing to the development of professionals and careers in the Music and Entertainment Industry in Africa”
Olumide Falegan, Manager EMEA Music Partnerships, SSA at Google.”
“The MBA Women’s fund is really important to us. As a woman who struggled to see the music industry as a viable career path, it’s great that initiatives like this exist to encourage more women to take part and have the opportunity to become future leaders, executives, and innovators in the music industry. Additionally, MBA is committed to creating a safe and welcoming training environment for women.
Program Director – Elizabeth Sobowale”
The students will be given the opportunity to gain knowledge from experienced and successful music business executives alongside a faculty that consists of professionals from various industries outside of music.
MBA for Africa started as an internship program in 2017 and became a full-fledged talent management training program in 2021, with over 190 students from 30 cities across Africa, Europe, and North America. In 2022, the program grew to over 290 students from over 31 cities across the world.
“There was nowhere to learn about the business when I first started out in this industry. So I, like many of my peers, had to make so many mistakes, and it took me years to realize I had been doing so many things wrong
Godwin Tom – Founder, Music Business Academy For Africa and Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing, Nigeria/West Africa”
The immediate Students from the 2022 cohort collaborated with eight unsigned African musicians in the “MBA Talent Project” which resulted in the release of an Album, you can listen to here and three official music videos.
Registration for the 2023 Edition of the programme is now open. Potential students can find more details on how to apply at www.mbaforafrica.com.