Warner Music Group invests in major African digital music distributor

Warner Music Group has made an investment in Africori, a digital music distribution company operating across Sub-Saharan Africa. Africori has worked with more than 6,500 artists and 700 labels, offering music rights management and artist development services as well as distribution. The deal centers on Warner’s ADA division, which will work with Africori to distribute and promote its artists from the major label’s global network. The agreement will be Warner’s first presence in many African markets.

“We work with incredible artists and have some extremely talented A&Rs spotting fresh new talent; it’ll be really exciting to see them tap into Warner Music’s global network,” Africori CEO Yoel Kenan said. “The music market in Africa is starting to really gain traction and this deal means we’re well-positioned to support our artists as new opportunities open up.”

“I’m delighted that we’ll be working together with Africori – and Yoel Kenan in particular – as they’ve been pioneers, fighting for the interests of artists and the music industry in Africa,” said Alfonso Perez Soto, Warner’s EVP for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “We can harness the power of our global network to take their great African music to a truly global audience.”

Anna Washenko