Mantwa Chinoamadi: We must Empower Women in the African Creative Industry
ACA member from South Africa Mantwa Chinoamadi has been at the helm of T-Musicman since its early ventures into live music promotion and production in 1989, when she was appointed as Artist Liaison at the company. Over the years, she has worked with some of the most iconic names in music, including Queen, Jonas Gwangwa, Rebecca Malope, and Brenda Fassie, all of whom entrusted her and T-Musicman with the marketing and promotional aspects of their careers. Her work has led her to become one of our active members as a changemaker in the African creative industry. We showcased Mantwa as a female changemaker in the African culture and creative industry as part of our Women In Culture and Creative Industry in Africa. In an interview with Music In Africa’s Ano Shumba, Mantwa delves into her inspiring work and its profound impact on the community. delving into her inspiring work and its profound impact in her local community, her native country of the Republic of South Africa. She also talks about how women have made impact in the African creative industry, and her work as a member of Arts Connect Africa. Check out the interview at https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/mantwa-chinoamadi-trailblazer-live-music-promotion.
For International Women’s Month: Katherine McVicker on African Women’s Empowerment in Music
The music and cultural industries are undergoing a transformative shift towards greater inclusion and equity. While progress has been made, women in these sectors, particularly in Africa, continue to face significant challenges in accessing opportunities, resources, and leadership roles. As part of the ACA’s commitment to promoting women in the African creative industry, we used the month of March to promote women and some of our women led initiatives. Our Co-Founder Katherine McVicker talks to Derrick Amoako for Music in Africa about advocacy for gender equity and empowerment has had a profound impact on shaping a more inclusive industry. DERRICK AMOAKO: What inspired your commitment to breaking down barriers for women in the music and culture industries, particularly in Africa? KATHERINE MCVICKER: Women are half the population. When they are not included in discussions about business of any kind, it is a tragic loss of human capital. Women bring a unique point of view to any discussion about music and culture. In their traditional societal roles as caregivers, many women are the keepers of cultural traditions and practices, which they pass on to their children—the next generation. Read the rest of the interview between Derrick Amoako and Katherine McVicker here
Dudu Sarr: Francophone Artistes Must Become More Visible in African Music
The 6th edition of the Dakar Music Expo (DMX) was recently held in Dakar Senegal. The event, which has become of the top Music Expos francophone Africa, continues to connect programmers and broadcasters from around the world with African musicians to help them export their music. This year edition saw 25 representatives from the jazz festival network in Europe, as well as nine African delegations and representatives from Spotify, come together to enjoy 4 days of African culture and music and francophone African hospitality. In this feature in the Great Guest Podcast, ACA member from Senegal. Dudu Sarr, who is also manager of the artist Youssou N’Dour and founder of the Dakar Music Expo, mention why Fracophone African musicians need to be more visible on the continent and how important it is for music festivals with particular focus on the DMX in creating a space for Francophone African artists on the continent, especially in a global music industry that is starting to become more and more English language centric. Listen to the full feature in French here.
Kayode Adebayo: Creative & tourism infrastructure corporation In Africa puts private sector in driver’s seat
Our board member, Kayode Adebayo was recently on CNBC Africa An Africa wide TV network talking about African political, social, economic issues, Kayode was on “Power Lunch West Africa” with anchor Kenneth Igbomor, He shares his opinions on the Nigerian Government’s recent creation of the creative and tourism infrastructure corporation, describing it as move in the right direction that puts the experts and the private sector in the driver’s seat. He highlights the evolution of the Detty December phenomenon in Nigeria as a pointer to capitalize and monetize Nigeria’s prospects. To find the full interview visit the CNBC Website. Arts Connect Africa and our partner organization will continue to support initiatives and partnerships to better position Africa to take advantage of opportunities within the global music industry.
Africa Must Educate Its Next Generation of Professionals- Walter Wanyanya on ZBC
Our board member Walter Wanyanya (Zimbabwe), founder of Jacaranda Music Festival, Harare, was a guest on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to share our mission, values and one of the main tenets on which we are standing this year. He shares his insights on why it is necessary to educate the next generation of African music professionals, and the work we are doing as a network of African creative industry professionals to make sure that Africans benefit economically from the creative at local, regional and continental levels. In 2025, we are doing more to empower new creative industry professionals with educational opportunities, facilitate more cultural exchange projects in Africa and beyond, and also drive conversations on how to make sure that the African creative industry makes economic and social impact in Africa.
“Talent will become huge commodity for Africa, if Africa properly positions for it”-Kayode Adebayo
Our board director OLUKAYODE ADEBAYO, who is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ckrowd.com, a music business education and digital profiling platform for music industry professionals, features on Business A.M. with PHILLIP ISAKPA and ONOME AMUGE. In the interview He talks about his work as a director for Arts Connect Africa (ACA), and also provides valuable insights on the economics, business, technology, creative, cultural, human resources landscape of Africa’s entertainment and creative industries and their connection with the world. He talks about the potential, the opportunities and how Africa’s young population, especially its Gen Z and Gen Alpha, brimming with talents, can become for the world, the human resource pool and the new hub for talent in the hiring of professionals across the creative industries. Read the full interview online at https://www.businessamlive.com/talent-will-become-huge-commodity-for-africa-if-africa-properly-positions-for-it-adebayo-ceo-ckrowd-board-director-arts-connect-africa-aca/ or downlad the PDF below
A Party With a Purpose: Rethinking Economics and Impact for Music Festivals in Africa with Walter Wanyanya
At Arts Connect Africa. One of our goals for the African music industry is for it to make cultural and economic impact on the African continent. We believe one of the ways by which it can do this is through music festivals that bring music lovers and also music professionals together. One of our board members, Walter Wanyanya, a Zimbabwean creative and tech entrepreneur. the Founder and Artistic Director of the Jacaranda Music Festival, the Jabulani Jazz Festival and the Flame Lily Rock Music Festival in Harare, talks to Terser Adamu on the Unlocking Africa podcast. He talks about his transition from being a musician to becoming an event organizer and music promoter. the crossover between the Tech and the event management work that Walter does, how the success he has had in the tech business influenced the way that he operates in the music industry, the challenges he faces when organizing large-scale music events in Africa, and how his music festivals impact the local community in Harare, both economically and culturally. Listen to the interview episode here
Raising The African Music Industry to Global Standards
As an organization we remain committed to delivering value for the content of Africa through its creative industries. To this end one of our members, Ruddy Kwakye, was with Julius Mbaluto on Colourful Radio’s Africa in Focus to share his insights on the growth of the African music industry, its implications for the African creative industry at large, Arts Connect Africa’s vision, and why we are committed to professionalizing the creative industry in Africa. Listen to the conversation here
The Future Of African Music: Opportunities For Industry Professionals
The music industry has the potential to be a significant economic driver in Africa, creating jobs and generating income. However, to realize this potential, there is a need for professionals who not only create music but also understand the business and technical aspects of the industry. The conversation around professionalizing the African music industry has become louder in recent years, and agencies and organizations across the continent are rising to fill the gap. Our board member, Kayode Adebayo was with Blessings Mosugu on News Central Television’s Fafanua Africa. He shares his insights on the growth of the African music industry as well as Arts Connect Africa’s vision and work around professionalizing the creative industry in Africa in order to deliver value for Africans.
Latin America and African Music: A Cultural Exchange Across the Atlantic
Recently, we announced a partnership with Cultural Connections Latin America(CCLA) that aims to strengthen professional ties between African and Latino American music industry professionals. The goals of the partnership are to ensure greater visibility of contemporary musical creation, stimulate artistic mobility within our respective regions, multiply business opportunities, and aid the professional development of the sector through the exchange of ideas. Pablo Solis Vega, Development Manager for Latin America at Music Works International, delves further into why this partnership is necessary and what to expect from it, in this opinion editorial for africanbusiness.com.