As Afrobeats takes off globally, how can tech help homegrown talent and labels scale?

08/25/20 • 34 min

With Afrobeats taking off internationally, music from the continent can now be heard in all corners of the world partly thanks to homegrown artists such as Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and even Beyoncé who featured leading African artists such as Shatta Wale on her latest album. But away from the global success stories lies an industry that has not necessarily attracted the infrastructure or investment required to drive growth in the sector and support job creation throughout the continent. Experts believe the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) could emerge as a key driver of inclusive growth, while also setting the stage for exciting collaboration across borders. Regardless of what the future holds, it's clear that technology will play an even larger role in shaping the creative industry and may also serve as a powerful tool for exporting the biggest success stories across the Global South.

Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr, Founder & Principal of Botho Emerging Markets Group

Guests:
Ninel Musson - Co-founder & COO, The Vth Season
Derrick “DNA” Ashong - Founder & CEO, Amp.it
Jude “M.I.” Abaga - Founder, TASCK Agency

"Afro-Catalyst" is a co-production between Botho Emerging Markets Group and World1Media.

Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr, Founder & Principal of Botho Emerging Markets Group

Guests:
Ninel Musson - Co-founder & COO, The Vth Season
Derrick “DNA” Ashong - Founder & CEO, Amp.it
Jude “M.I.” Abaga - Founder, TASCK Agency

"Afro-Catalyst" is a co-production between Botho Emerging Markets Group and World1Media.

Next Episode

The African Century: Inside the Wind of Change Sweeping the Continent (Part 1)

If 1960 was the “Year of Africa,” we now find ourselves in the “African Century.” While the promise of the post-colonial era fell flat in the ensuing decades, many African economies have matured in recent years. From Ghana to Kenya, the numbers now speak for themselves, but the growth remains uneven across the region. For all the innovation of “Yabacon Valley” and Kigali Innovation City, some African countries and cities risk being left behind. What lessons can be learned from the continent’s success stories and how can these be replicated on a larger scale? Join us for a fascinating conversation about the continent’s journey from the 1960s to its aspiration to become the next economic powerhouse with the policymakers and business leaders charting its success and training the architects of its future.

Host:
Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Jr, Founder & Principal of Botho Emerging Markets Group

Guests:
Catherine Duggan, Dean at University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
Carlos Lopes, Professor at Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance

"Afro-Catalyst'' is a co-production between Botho Emerging Markets Group and World1Media.