The African Union and the All-Africa Music Awards have strengthened their partnership with a formal agreement to promote Africa’s creative and cultural industries, particularly music.

According to a statement, the AU signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in January cementing a decade-old collaboration it began in 2014 with AFRIMA’s inaugural awards.

The agreement seeks to enhance Africa’s global musical influence and further the AU’s cultural agenda.

AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Ambassador Minata Cessouma, said the deal reaffirms both organisations’ commitment to nurturing African musical talent and expanding opportunities for artists.

“This agreement signifies a new chapter in our collaboration, ensuring that African music continues to flourish, uplift communities, and contribute to the well-being of artists and the continent’s development agenda,” Cessouma noted.

AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada described the MoU as a major milestone for Africa’s creative sector, stating, “This partnership represents a significant milestone and a great step forward in our shared mission to elevate African music and culture on the global stage.”

The AU and AFRIMA emphasised their collaboration on key initiatives, including the implementation of the Revised AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries and the 2020 Stronger Together online concert for the COVID-19 Response Fund.

Both organisations added that they remain committed to using music as a tool for social cohesion, economic growth, and the realisation of AU’s Agenda 2063.

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