African Music Forum | Building A Strong Foundation For African Music Industry - Arterial Network

The first African Music Forum will be held in Ségou from 28 September to the 2nd of October 2016. Organised by the African Music Council and in collaboration with Arterial Network, the African Music Forum will bring together industry professionals to discuss the major issues experienced by the music industry across the continent.

Following the action plan set forth in the 2008 Algiers Declaration that called for the promotion of the cultural and creative industries in Africa, the African Music Forum will create an inventory of the various existing platforms on the continent and abroad, and consolidate past achievements to assess their current value.

Market access, public education, audience development and the analysis of the musical offering on the continent will all be discussed during the five-day forum that will feature a scientific symposium and a host of professional workshops.

Some people may consider music to be merely a form of entertainment, but the African Music Forum acknowledge’s that music is able to convey a message or identity, and requires profound dedication and skill.

In Africa, music is one of the fastest growing industries. How will the continent rally together to ensure its contimued development while preserving its originality? How to will the industry be standardised and professionalised? How should the links in the chain be strengthened, taking into account the emergence of new technologies? But above all, how can musicians position themselves in the global market while holding onto their artistic integrity, especially with the surge of worldwide festivals calling for original work from the continent?

The African Music Forum, the first of its kind on the continent, will lay the foundations for more effective support and supervision of the music industry that is in accordance with the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance – Articles 22 and 30 in particular.