IFPI’s Angela Ndambuki highlights Africa’s music rise at France Music Week

The summit, themed Different Markets, Different Moves: Adapting Strategies for Growth, brought together global music industry leaders to exchange ideas on regional trends and growth strategies. Ndambuki joined a panel featuring IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley (née Dean) and Sony Music France managing director Marie-Anne Robert to discuss the evolution of international music markets.

Opening the event, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the summit’s role in celebrating global musical diversity. He announced that the launch of France Music Week was intended to showcase the dynamism of the global music business and to reaffirm France’s commitment to supporting the sector.

“We decided to launch Music Week to celebrate the vibrancy of the music industry and its diverse cultures across the globe,” Macron said. “France will support the music scene financially so that it can reach the same level of recognition and success as cinema.”

In her keynote remarks, Ndambuki emphasised the growth of the Sub-Saharan African music industry, noting South Africa and Nigeria as leading markets, while highlighting the rising potential of countries such as Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is not just rising, it’s evolving,” Ndambuki said. “We’re seeing tremendous innovation in how music is discovered, distributed, and consumed, particularly through mobile platforms. Young, tech-savvy audiences are shaping global trends, and to connect meaningfully with them, international stakeholders must invest in local partnerships rooted in collaboration and cultural understanding.”

She also spoke about the importance of data-driven strategies, mobile-first distribution models, and authentic local engagement, underlining how Africa’s youth demographic is influencing global consumption patterns.

Among other high-profile attendees was Warner Music group CEO Robert Kyncl, further highlighting the event’s international significance. Following the summit, Ndambuki joined fellow industry executives to attend Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter concert in Paris, which featured a surprise appearance by Miley Cyrus and was praised for its outstanding production.