Olivier Laouchez

Olivier Laouchez, originally from Martinique in the French West Indies, is a leading entrepreneur recognized for his global promotion of Afro-centric music and culture, with a strong focus on empowering youth and creators.

In 2003, Laouchez founded Trace with initial support from Goldman Sachs, with the aim of creating a media group dedicated to Afro-urban culture. By 2024, Trace had grown into a major global player, with a global reach of more than 350 million fans in 190 countries, operating 28 TV channels, 80 FM and digital radio stations, award-winning audiovisual studios, and hosting the premier music awards ceremony in Africa. Trace also maintains a massive social media presence with 23 million social fans.

Laouchez's vision goes beyond entertainment. In 2021, Trace launched Trace Academia, a free online vocational training platform in collaboration with 50 companies and institutions. The platform has trained over 280,000 African learners. Additionally, Trace's music monetization platforms have empowered over 40,000 artists by ensuring they receive royalties. In a landmark agreement, Trace partnered with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to manage the country’s music rights for 15 years, leveraging cutting-edge digital technology and a robust local ecosystem that integrates music monitoring and mobile money solutions.

Laouchez is deeply committed to social causes and empowerment. He co-founded the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery and has been recognized as a Knight of the French National Order of Merit. In 2023, he received the Daraja Honor from the Movement of Creative Africa (MOCA) for his outstanding contributions to Africa’s creative industries. In September 2024, Laouchez was invited to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he received the ARDN (African Renaissance and Diaspora Network) Commitment to Equality Award. Under his leadership, Trace continues to blend entertainment with educational and entrepreneurial initiatives, with a strong emphasis on social justice and equality.

Trace’s influence extends across Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and the USA, actively promoting the creative industries, youth empowerment, and diversity. Laouchez is a frequent speaker at international conferences on creative industries, e-learning, entrepreneurship and the success of youth and creators.