Music Business Academy for Africa Opens Registrations for Its 2024/2025 Programme – Fifth Edition

The Orchard Returns as Sponsor for Third Consecutive Year

The Creatives Industries Initiative for Africa (C.I.I.F.A) and The Creative Talent Foundation officially announce the opening of registrations for the 2024/2025 edition of the Music Business Academy for Africa. Aspiring music professionals, industry enthusiasts, and creatives across the continent are invited to participate in this transformative learning experience. Since its inception in 2020, the programme has yielded over 1,000 graduates from various African countries and around the globe.

The Music Business Academy for Africa (MBA for Africa), established in 2020, has continuously championed the development of a knowledgeable and skilled workforce for Africa’s music and entertainment industry. This initiative evolved from an Internship Programme in 2017 and transitioned into a Talent Management Training Programme.

The recently concluded 2023/2024 Edition of the Programme had over 370 students from across Africa, the US, and Europe. The 2023/2024 Programme Class released their second album, Pepple Street, in partnership with The Orchard on March 29. Inspired by the iconic life of Fela Kuti, who once called Pepple Street home, the album’s 17 tracks weave a tapestry of stories, blending sounds and voices from different corners of the continent.

The Orchard will once again invest in developing the 2024/2025 Edition of The Talent Development Programme, helping to steer students’ journeys from music creation to release. They will participate in education and mentoring, and provide marketing and promotional support for the album’s release and distribution.

The Academy also collaborated with YouTube and The Orchard to host a series of meetings for some of its alumni in London and Lagos. During these Creative & Entertainment business tours, students were introduced to various industry executives, received hands-on experience, witnessed day-to-day operations, and engaged with various music business players.

Celebrating its fifth year of impact, the MBA for Africa programme’s theme this year is “A Music Industry Ecosystem.” The curriculum will explore a simulated version of the music industry, with students able to select roles from various sectors, including:
– Live Events Industry
– Publishing & Composition
– Tech for Music
– Recording Industry
– Support Services

Students will also receive mentorship from sponsors and affiliate companies, providing practical, hands-on knowledge and experience of each sector in real-time.

Elizabeth Sobowale, Programme Director of MBA for Africa:
“Each year of MBA has produced industry leaders and successful careers. We are excited to be embarking on our fifth consecutive program and introducing two new languages, which will widen our reach in Africa and give non-English speakers a life-changing education.”

Lanre Masha, Director, West Africa, The Orchard:
“The Orchard is leading the global expansion of music from Africa, connecting artists with fans worldwide. As we continue to grow our presence across the region, we are keen to discover and invest in new talent, both on an artistic level and behind the scenes. With staff in both French-speaking and East Africa, we are pleased at the programme’s new offering in French and Swahili, as that increases the talent pool we can reach. The Orchard currently employs MBA alumni in our Lagos office, so we’ve seen the results of what this special education can produce first-hand. Through our ongoing partnership with the Music Business Academy for Africa, we can play a substantial role in shaping the future of the business in this musically rich and diverse part of the globe.”

Starting in September 2024, the programme will run for nine months and will include French and Swahili translations for students in different parts of Africa who do not speak English.

To register for the 2024 Edition of the Music Business Academy for Africa, visit our website at [www.mbaforafrica.com](http://www.mbaforafrica.com). For registration issues, contact the team at mbaforafrica@ciif.africa.

For more inquiries regarding partnerships and collaborations, please contact:
Kini-Abasi Edet
Kini@ciif.africa
Head of Operations

Learn more about the MBA For Africa at [www.mbaforafrica.com](http://www.mbaforafrica.com).