Music industry experts to speak at AfricaNXT conference in Lagos this February

Now in its 11th year, the conference aims to be the world’s most impactful gathering for Africa-focused innovators.

“AfricaNXT exists to create space, both online and offline, to celebrate African ingenuity and empower the creatives, entrepreneurs, organisers and remarkable all-around individuals moving Africa forward,” the organisers said.

“AfricaNXT, through conversations, installations and immersive programming, encourages collaboration and solutions-orientated discussions on how we can co-create a prosperous future for all Africans.”

The 2023 edition of the conference will host close to 200 talks, masterclasses and festival experiences, running under the theme, Cooperate. Collaborate. Innovate. Unlocking Our Potential, Ensuring Africa’s Prosperity.

“Our ability to cooperate and collaborate across industries and borders will determine the impact of the innovations we put forward and their capacity to scale,” the organisers said about the theme.

“Ultimately, our collective efforts in this moment will unlock our fullest potential – undoubtedly ensuring our communities, companies, countries and Africa as a whole prosper and do so sustainably.”

MI Abaga is a veteran hip hop artist, activist and the head of TASCK Creative Agency. Ric Hassani is an acclaimed pop artist behind the albums The African Gentleman (2016) and The Prince I Became (2021). Ayinoluwa represents accomplished Afrobeats producers Masterkraft, Northboi, Rexxie, Andre Vibez and Magicsticks, while Agwu is a music business consultant of many years, who currently works with global digital distribution and label services company Horus Music.

They will be joined by the likes of music journalists Joey Akan and Motolani Alake, as well as creative consultant Exel Joab, YouTube lead content strategist for East and West Africa Solafunmi Sosanya and Digital Music Commerce and Exchange president Oyinkansola ‘Foza’ Fawehinmi.

The rest of the speakers on the programme operate in tech, business, politics and academia, among other fields.

View the complete list of speakers here and full schedule here.