The Music Business Awards Africa

The Music Business Awards Africa (MBAA) is a continental awards initiative created to recognise the professionals, companies, and organisations that drive the business side of Africa’s music ecosystem. Established to highlight the often-overlooked contributors behind the scenes, the MBAA celebrates excellence in areas such as artist management, marketing, publishing, distribution, events, publicity, technology, and rights administration. By shifting the spotlight toward the industry’s operational and entrepreneurial pillars, the awards aim to elevate the standards of music business practices across the continent.

Launched in Johannesburg in 2025, the MBAA was conceived as a platform that acknowledges the key role played by managers, labels, promoters, digital distributors, producers, executives, and service providers who enable the success of African artists. Its vision is to strengthen the industry’s professional landscape by recognising the individuals and entities whose work directly influences the growth, sustainability, and global reach of African music.

The awards follow a structured process that includes calls for submissions, independent evaluation, and continental representation through an executive board made up of experienced industry professionals. This framework is designed to ensure that the awards reflect the realities and ambitions of the African music economy while maintaining credibility across the sector.

With categories tailored to mirror the diverse components of the music business value chain, the MBAA positions itself as a benchmark for excellence on the continent. It seeks to inspire innovation, encourage best practices, and promote collaboration among industry stakeholders. Furthermore, the awards serve as a platform for recognising new talent within the business space—individuals and organisations whose creativity, strategy, and commitment continue to shape the future of African music.

The establishment of the Music Business Awards Africa marks an important step in acknowledging that the success of African music depends not only on artists but also on the robust professional ecosystem surrounding them. By celebrating those who build, support, and sustain the industry, the MBAA aims to deepen the professionalism of the sector and contribute to its long-term growth and global presence.