The two-day event organized by Strictly Entertainment Music, in partnership with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), seeks to champion and celebrate the diversity and influence of the African music business.
Running under the theme Leveraging our cultural equalityAMS 2023 will explore the untapped potential of the African music business and its impact on the global music industry.
Speakers include Gamma Africa & Middle East chairman Sipho Dlamini, BPI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion manager Hailey Willington and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) senior global licensing officer Jean-Elie Ilunga.
The new event was formerly known as the Afrobeats Educational Roadshow (TAER) created under the education arm of Strictly Entertainment Music to establish the UK Afrobeats scene in the mainstream music industry. It was founded by UK-based music and technology executives Ramon Olaleye, Chiedozie Onuora and Ikechukwu Onuorah.
“While the artistic aspects of African music have flourished, there is a critical need to nurture the business side of the industry equally,” said Onuorah. “AMS aims to highlight this critical aspect. We are on a mission to create an industry that is not only self-sufficient, but also reshapes the standards of the global music business. Our summit will provide a unique platform where forward-looking and game-changing entrepreneurs and executives can engage in open dialogues about opportunities, challenges and, most importantly, solutions tailored to Africa’s needs.”
BPI chief executive Dr Jo Twist said: “The great opportunities in both North and sub-Saharan Africa are starting to materialize as they emerge as the continent’s fastest growing and thriving musical regions, largely thanks to the growing global popularity of the Afrobeats scene . We are excited to partner on this event to bring the UK music business together to support the growing music market in Africa and help realize its untapped potential.”
At the end of the summit, a new destination for AMS 2024, to be held in Africa, will be revealed.