AFRICA – Universal Music Group, a global music publishing giant, has announced plans to expand operations in Africa in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya in 2021, reports Bloomberg.
The firm, majority owned by Vivendi SA, has an office in Ivory Coast to oversee French-speaking countries, alongside a base in Morocco for the northern nations to tap into the francophone music scene.
“We are thinking long term and looking to build lasting infrastructure in order to support African talent for years to come. We want to expand the possibilities for that talent to reach new audiences around the world,” the company’s newly appointed regional chief executive officer, Sipho Dlamini.
Universal Music plans to take advantage of the large music and tech adoption by younger Africans in a bid to secure streaming revenue. The CEO also revealed that Universal, just like its rival Sony, plans to sign more African musicians and also build more recording infrastructure for the continent for a wider reach.
Bloomberg disclosed that the recorded music revenues in Africa and the Middle East had totalled US$100 million in 2019.
“There has never been a more exciting time for African music around the world, as it continues to influence and inspire culture and creativity, while reaching a wider audience globally each day through streaming,” Dlamini said.
The CEO added that Universal Music was also working with major African Telco operators including g MTN Group Ltd, Vodacom Group Ltd, and Orange SA in a bid to boost its operations in the continent.
Music companies see an opportunity to grow streaming services in Africa, as an increased availability of smartphones and faster internet speeds enable the continent’s youthful population to become more connected.
Universal also plans to attract more African artists to the label, investing in recording facilities and live music to bring them to a wider audience, the company said.
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