Lagos Summit to Address Monetization of Africa's Music Economy

The African music scene is set for a significant business convergence as the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 8, 2026. This crucial industry forum will serve as a cornerstone event within the larger framework of the 9th AFRIMA (African Music Awards), which runs from January 7 to January 11, 2026. The chosen venue for this high-profile gathering is the Eko Convention Centre, situated within the Eko Hotel & Suites complex.

The central theme guiding this year’s AMBS encapsulates a forward-looking strategy for the continent's burgeoning creative sector: “Connect. Build. Own: Monetising Africa’s Music Revolution.” This slogan clearly signals an intent to move beyond mere cultural impact and establish tangible economic structures for African musical output.

The core objective of the AMBS is fundamentally about translating the continent's vibrant musical momentum—often characterized by influence and widespread appeal—into concrete revenue streams. This involves deep dives into critical areas such as intellectual property rights, necessary infrastructure development, sustainable financial models, and optimizing the entire music value chain. The underlying goal is to ensure that the immense talent originating from Africa translates into accumulated wealth and sustained economic benefit within the continent itself, rather than experiencing talent drain.

Esteemed media personality Larry Madowo of CNN is slated to moderate the proceedings, guiding discussions among a distinguished roster of participants. The confirmed lineup includes prominent industry executives, leading artists such as Stonebwoy, and former leaders from major music organizations. Furthermore, the event will feature a keynote address from Anna Westerholm, the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, lending significant diplomatic weight to the summit’s proceedings.

The decision to relocate the AFRIMA events from their traditional late-2025 slot to January 2026 was made following extensive consultations with key stakeholders. This strategic shift was implemented specifically to maximize global participation and engagement. The culmination of the week’s activities, the final AFRIMA awards ceremony, is scheduled for January 11, 2026, and organizers anticipate an international broadcast reaching more than 84 countries worldwide.

What does this focused business approach mean for the global soundscape? It signifies a maturation point for African music. The continent is rapidly evolving from being perceived merely as a source of cultural 'vibe' or 'voice' without formalized commercial agreements, into a fully empowered owner of its sonic output. This transformation encompasses every stage, from initial studio creation right through to the collection and management of royalties, establishing a robust, self-sustaining ecosystem.