NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud to announce its partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a Strategic Implementing Partner (SIP) for its Social Employment Fund (SEF). Through this collaboration, MIAF is launching a new national programme designed to create jobs, address skills gaps, and strengthen South Africa’s creative industries — in line with the SEF’s overarching goal to generate work for the common good and build community value through employment, social contribution, and inclusive economic participation. Operating under the banner NEFCISA (National Employment Facility for Creative Industries in South Africa), the initiative will recruit and train participants, match them with host organisations, and place a minimum of 1 000 workers across the country. Key Objectives: Support employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. Offer skills development and training programmes. Foster partnerships between public and private creative sectors. Promote South African creativity at both provincial and national levels Foster community development through social contribution.

ACCES
ACCES

ACCES has stamped its authority as Africa’s leading music trade event. At the 2019 edition in Accra, the conference brought together more than 1 200 delegates from about 50 countries on the continent and beyond. The conference also hosted 76 showcasing artists from Africa and the diaspora, who got to perform for an influential audience at two top live venues in the Ghanaian capital. Apart from live showcases, the event features panel discussions, presentations, exhibitions, pitch sessions, Q&A sessions with prominent musicians and visits to key music industry hubs in the host city. Many of these activities will be planned for ACCES 2021, with the ACCES team already exploring a tailor-made programme that will cater for the specific needs of the local music industry amid the pandemic. ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit and pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Gender@Work
Gender@Work

Music In Africa Gender @ Work is a three-year training programme aimed at upskilling and increasing the participation of female professionals in the African music sector. Launched by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in April 2019, the programme is connected to the MIAF’s ACCES music conference – a pan-African event held in a different African country every year. This connection enables the programme to reach new participants in a different African country every year. The programme marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by the Foundation to support the participation and inclusion of women in all facets of its programmes and the music sector in Africa as a whole. Over the three years, the programme will aim to address gender imbalances in the sector through training, lobbying, facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogues that foster the interest of women. The broader objectives of the programme are to: Provide industry training for women on critical music industry skills, focusing on: Stage management Electronic music production and recording Music business management Technical knowledge Provide an opportunity for both professional and aspiring women to benefit from the Music In Africa network and its broad range of activities in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Provide a solution-based platform in the form of a round table at ACCES with a view to identify challenges, discuss opportunities and lobby for the interests of female practitioners. Offer participants the opportunity to benefit from programmes offered by MIAF’s partners. Increase access to educational materials. Integrate participants in the broader ACCES programme to maximise experience and exposure to the industry. Record and present training materials on the www.musicinafrica.net, including but not limited to tutorials, templates and other best-practice materials. Communicate women-based themes that support the initiatives and messages of the programme. MAIN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Training in first country (Ghana): In the first year, participants will be trained on all aspects of stage management by a team of experienced stage managers from 10 to 17 November 2019. The programme will offer robust classroom training as well as practical, hands-on training in which participants will also be given the opportunity to manage various aspects of the ACCES performance programme. Training in second country: The second training iteration will take place at ACCES 2020 when the programme will diversify its course to include music production lessons and training on other music business topics. A round-table platform will also be introduced to coincide with the ACCES programme. Training in third country: The third training iteration will take place at ACCES 2021 in a different country, offering an advanced course. HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?  As a participant, facilitator or trainer: The programme enrolls up to 12 trainees every year. All opportunities are advertised publicly on this website, and will be added to this page. Please keep checking this page for new calls (below under UPDATES & CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES). As a partner Please contact Claire Metais at claire@musicinafrica.net. APPLY The call for applications for 2020 will be announced soon. The Music In Africa Gender @ Work programme is made possible with the support of the Prince Claus Fund, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Sound Connects Fund
Sound Connects Fund

For cultural and creative practitioners and organisations operating in southern Africa, access to funding remains a major challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a massive impact on government policy, spending and the economy in general, and has seen spending on culture being moved further down the list of priorities. Further, the cultural and creative industries repeatedly cite four main areas where investment is needed for growth, which are increased visibility, mobility including access to new markets, finance and support structures.

Instrument Building And Repair Project
Instrument Building And Repair Project

Experience the Vibrations African Instruments Exhibition online in 3D

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Lagos, Nigeria

In operation since:

1 Jan 2013

Contact person:

Maobisleys

BIO

Ezebuiro Kingsley Chimaobim, popularly known by his stage name Maobisleys, is a dynamic Nigerian talent whose multifaceted journey spans across music, fine art, academia, construction, and real estate. Born on April 27, 1994, in the southeastern state of Abia, Nigeria, Maobisleys grew up in a moderately affluent family that placed a high value on education and creativity especially music. From a very young age, he was exposed to a rich blend of African cultural rhythms, artistic expression, and academic discipline, which laid the foundation for his impressive career path.

Formerly known by his earlier stage name "Ability," Maobisleys is best described as a passionate and committed music professional. His musical vision centers around the African soundscape, with a focus on genres such as Afrobeats, Afropop, and Afrofusion. His love for music is evident in his electrifying stage performances, which never fail to captivate audiences. However, to limit him to music alone would be a disservice to the multi-talented figure he has become.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Maobisleys’ educational journey began at Holy Cross Nursery, Primary, and Secondary School, where he quickly distinguished himself as a bright and determined student. He consistently topped his class from nursery through to the completion of secondary school in 2013, earning numerous academic awards along the way. His stellar performance became the talk of his school community, setting a precedent for excellence that he would carry forward into higher education and beyond.
Following his secondary education, Maobisleys pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Building at the prestigious Abia State University, Nigeria. In 2018, he graduated with First Class Honours, emerging as the Best Graduating Student in his department. This outstanding achievement not only solidified his place among academic elites but also opened doors of opportunity. After completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in October 2020 , he received an automatic employment offer just one week later a testament to his exceptional academic record and professional promise.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Maobisleys currently serves as an academic staff at Abia State University, where he teaches courses related to building and construction. Additionally, he offers his expertise as a contract staff member to several other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
His teaching is marked by a practical, hands-on approach that integrates technology with traditional construction knowledge.

In a quest to deepen his academic and technical capabilities, Maobisleys enrolled into a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree program in Construction Management from the esteemed University of Lagos. There, he honed his skills in building construction, architectural and structural design using tools such as Archicad, AutoCAD, Revit, and Lumion. He also developed proficiency in data analysis, leveraging R programming, SPSS, MS Excel, and Python to solve complex design and management problems in the construction industry.

In academia, Maobisleys is also making his mark as a research mentor and consultant. He currently mentors graduate and postgraduate students on how to craft compelling undergraduate and postgraduate thesis. Beyond that, he serves as a career advisor, offering practical guidance on recruitment processes and human resource strategies for both employers and job seekers. His influence in academia is widely acknowledged, and he continues to impact lives through his commitment to educational excellence.

MUSIC CAREER AND ARTISTIC CONTRIBUTIONS
Despite his busy academic and professional life, Maobisleys has never abandoned his first love music.
His journey as a recording artist began in 2013, while he was still in high school, with the release of his debut single “Can I Be.” The song marked his official entry into the music industry and was the first glimpse of his creative genius.

In May 2020, during the peak of the global pandemic, he released his second single titled “Oluwa” under the stage name “Ability.” The single was a bold spiritual and motivational track that resonated deeply with fans struggling through the difficult times. This release solidified his position as a rising voice in Afrobeats.

In June 2023 , he officially transitioned from the name “Ability” to “Maobisleys” a name that better reflected his evolution as an artist and multi-disciplinary creator. The rebranding coincided with a more defined musical direction and a stronger connection to his roots. On September 30, 2023, he dropped his extended play (EP) titled “Ten Years,”commemorating a decade since his first single. The EP served as both a retrospective and a forward-looking project, celebrating his artistic growth while hinting at future innovations.

The pinnacle of his musical career so far came on May 17, 2024, with the release of his first studio album, titled “The Hits of Maobisleys.”The album received critical acclaim and widespread acceptance globally, earning him recognition as a voice to watch in the African music industry. Through his music, Maobisleys aims to inspire, uplift, and unify, all while promoting African sounds on the global stage.
On 12th of December 2025, Maobisleys released a single titled “Intentional” which took him to limelight and brought him onboard.

INTRODUCING A NEW GENRE: AFRO BASS
One of Maobisleys’ most intriguing contributions to the African music scene is the conceptualization of a new musical genre called “Afrobass.” Though still awaiting formal recognition and widespread adoption, Afrobass blends traditional African drum patterns with deep basslines and electronic influences. This genre reflects his innovative spirit and desire to create something original that pushes the boundaries of Afrobeats and Afrofusion.

ARTISTRY BEYOND MUSIC
Maobisleys is also highly regarded for his work in fine arts, particularly in painting and drawing. His artworks are known for their emotional depth, attention to detail, and cultural symbolism. His artistry extends into real estate and construction, where his architectural and structural designs demonstrate a seamless fusion of aesthetics and functionality.

His ability to merge multiple disciplines music, art, academia, construction, and business makes him a rare polymath in today’s creative and professional spaces. Whether he's on stage delivering an energetic performance, mentoring students on thesis writing, or designing buildings, Maobisleys brings the same level of intensity, commitment, and creativity.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
At the core of Maobisleys’ philosophy is a belief in hard work, innovation, and service to humanity. He views every platform whether it's a classroom, concert hall, or design studio as an opportunity to educate, entertain, and elevate others. Despite his many achievements, he remains humble and continuously seeks to grow both personally and professionally.

Looking ahead, Maobisleys plans to expand the reach of his music and establish Afrobass as a globally recognized genre. He also aims to publish academic works, launch a mentorship institute, and invest more in real estate and construction projects across Africa.

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