MIDEM AFRICA: THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL PAN-AFRICAN EVENT FOR THE AFRICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY

Midem, the home of the global music community, today unveils details of the Midem Africa programme, free and open to all, on the Midem Digital platform, 28 June - 01 July 2021.

Midem Africa will be the first pan-African digital music event dedicated to the continent’s most vibrant music markets. The 4-day itinerary, mapping the African music industries, will highlight the most exciting trends and opportunities, as well as provide key insights and practical tools to foster networking and accelerate careers and business amongst the most influential local music players and their regional and international counterparts.

Midem Director, Alexandre Deniot, says: "It's been great to see the conversations and connections sparked during the Midem African Forum series, which we've hosted on the continent for the last three years. So we're delighted to launch this year's Midem Africa, the very first pan-African digital music event. It will be a truly unique event, accessible to all and free of charge. Our aim is to allow African professionals to benefit from real business opportunities, with support in education and professionalisation, and to highlight the continent's talent. We can't wait to see the music community connect with each other, both regionally and internationally."

This dedicated programme is part of Midem’s long-term initiative, which, since 2018, has seen 10 events in 6 countries and 7 African cities, in addition to its Midem African Forum, all committed to supporting the growth and internationalisation of African music markets. Thanks to their incredible influence on many music genres and scenes across the globe and to Africa’s young population and rapid mobile media adoption, the digital revolution offers a new opportunity for export to African artists. With their diversity and rich cultural heritage, African markets have huge potential. In its position as global industry relationship broker, Midem hopes to create bridges between the continent and the rest of the world. By nurturing bilateral exchanges between national and international music execs and the different sectors within the ecosystem, the aim is to boost the structuring and professionalisation of the African market by creating a dedicated “Business Accelerator” programme for artists and DIY executives from the continent.

With artists at the beating heart of Midem, engaged and kept at the core of all focus in all initiatives, Midem Africa is proud to count amongst its ambassadors and alumni leading artists from the continent, from Femi Kuti to Yemi Alade, Nasty C, Kampire, Maleek Berry, Davido, Moonchild and many more.

THE MIDEM AFRICA PROGRAMME

• A Pan-African Conference Programme

Through a series of buzzing panels and keynotes, leading artists and execs from all corners of the continent will share their insight on the key trends and most exciting stories from their markets.

Key Talking Points will include, among others:

. Understanding African markets and music consumption patterns

. The Creation of a Pan-African Music Industry

. The Impact of Digital and Social Media in the Internationalisation of African Music Genres

. The African Music Tech Ecosystem

• Exclusive Keynotes and Presentations

More information coming soon

• Exclusive Business Accelerator Programme for DIY Artists & Execs

This 4-day initiative focusing on talent development will explore the keys to success in the region’s industry, helping and supporting those in the DIY sector to navigate an ever-changing but exciting environment, including:

. How to Monetise your Music in association with SmartistU and Synchtank

. Why Entourage is Key to Success

. How to Promote Your Music in association with Fanbase Academy

. How to Leverage Business Opportunities in association with Bridges for Music

• Levelling up via Networking

As with operating across the global music industry, for both artists and execs alike, networking is key to growing a career and levelling up business in the continent. During Midem Africa, delegates will have the opportunity to network with the 12K+ members of the international Midem community on the platform by organising individual meetings or joining official networking sessions.