Music In Africa Foundation and African Union sign historic partnership agreement

As part of the agreement, the AU and MIAF aim to play a strategic role in amplifying the reach and impact of Africa’s music and culture industry through a range of interventions in key areas to enhance cultural exchanges and foster unity, in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 objectives. The following are some of the key priority areas:

• Promoting African music, image and unique culture identity positively as a key driver of economic development, ensuring its role in job creation, revenue generation, and social cohesion;
• Enhancing capacity-building programmes for artists, music professionals, and cultural entrepreneurs;
• Facilitating market access opportunities through platforms such as the ACCES Music Market;
• Promoting gender inclusivity in the music industry to bring about equal opportunities for women and marginalised groups;
• Encouraging AU member states to firmly undertake the protection and promotion of music and cultural activities.

H.E Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, AU Commissioner highlighted how important this partnership is to both organisation. “Music is a powerful force for unity and development. Through this partnership, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Africa’s creative sector, ensuring that music remains a critical tool for social transformation, economic progress, and cultural diplomacy.”

Echoing this vision, Mr. Eddie Hatitye, the Executive Director of MIAF emphasised MIAF’s role in advancing the sustainable development in Africa through music. “This partnership with the AU is a defining moment for the African music industry. It provides a solid foundation for collaboration on key initiatives that addresses some of the continent’s toughest challenges.’’

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is a pan-African non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the African music sector. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, MIAF runs a wide range of developmental projects in areas such as information dissemination, skills development, strategic advocacy, networking, collaborations, artist mobility, financing, research, and market development.

The African Union Commission (AUC) is the executive branch of the African Union (AU), responsible for driving the continent’s integration and development agenda. The AUC supports African cultural and creative industries as part of Agenda 2063, which envisions a self-reliant, prosperous, and culturally vibrant Africa. Through various programmes, the AUC champions policies that enhance the growth and sustainability of Africa’s music and creative sectors.