9th AFRIMA: CNN’s Larry Madowo, Stonebwoy, and Global Music Chiefs to Lead Africa Music Business Summit
African music has evolved from a creative outlet into a high-growth global industry attracting massive international investment. This transformation will take center stage as the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS), a flagship event of the 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), convenes in Lagos on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
The summit, themed “Connect, Build, Own: Monetising Africa’s Music Revolution,” will be held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (WAT).
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The event aims to provide a roadmap for African creatives to convert talent into sustainable economic value.
A High-Profile Lineup of Speakers
The summit will be hosted by award-winning CNN international broadcaster Larry Madowo, alongside popular TV host and actor Mojibade Sosanya. The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Anna Westerholm, is set to deliver the keynote address.
Key industry figures confirmed to lead the conversations include:
* Global Executives: Sipho Dlamini (CEO, Universal Music South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa); Karima Damir (Universal Music MENA); and international rights advisor Mustapha Ettouil.
* Music Legends & Hitmakers: Iconic producer ID Cabasa; Ghana’s dancehall star Stonebwoy; Congolese superstar Innoss’B; and Tanzania’s Juma Jux.
* Industry Veterans: Olisa Adibua (Founder, Storm Records); Bizzle Oshikoya (Music Executive); and Francis Doku (Ghana).
Strategic Sessions on Ownership and Growth
The 2026 summit is structured to move beyond theory, offering practical panels on the following core areas:
Building Infrastructure for Revenue
This session will examine the policy frameworks and digital platforms necessary to ensure talent yields steady income, with a specific focus on owning the creative narrative and protecting intellectual property rights.
The Recipe for Global Stardom
Industry experts will explore what is required for African artists to sustain international careers, covering global positioning, distribution, and touring strategies.
Financing the Ecosystem
A special fireside chat will address the “missing link” of investment, teaching artists and labels how to attract the capital needed to scale their creative businesses.
Sustainability Beyond Talent
Speaking ahead of the event, Mike Strano, Co-Producer and Director of AFRIMA, emphasized that the summit is a critical platform for shaping the continent’s cultural exports.
“African music is one of the continent’s strongest cultural exports today, but talent alone is not enough,” Strano stated. “The summit is designed to help creatives understand ownership and structure, so they can fully benefit from the value they create”.
Admission to the summit is free, but organizers have noted that mandatory registration is required via the official website at www.afrima.org.
By PRNigeria
