Music In Africa Foundation and African Union sign historic partnership agreement

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF), has signed a historic partnership agreement

with the African Union Commission (AUC). The partnership, signed on 29 January in

Addis Ababa, is aimed at strengthening the African music sector, protecting artists

and advancing the role of music in driving economic and sustainable development in

Africa.

MIAF Executive Director Eddie Hatitye and AU Commissioner H.E Amb. Minata Samate Cessowma

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.