Call for applications: Music Business Academy for Africa women’s bursaries

The initiative, under the MBA for Africa’s Women’s Fund, forms part of Linkfire’s efforts to enable women who want to work in the African music industry.

The 20-week online practical programme is developed by iManage Africa and aims to develop the next generation of music industry executives on the continent. It runs in partnership with Music Ally, YouTube Music and New York University professor Dr Carlos Chirinos.

The selected participants will receive training and mentorship from seasoned music industry executives from Chocolate City Music, YouTube, Sony Music and Music Ally, among others.

“We encourage more women to take up the challenge and sign up to equip themselves with the tools to work in the thriving African music industry,” Linkfire’s managing director for Africa, Maritt Jensen, said. “With equality and social impact at its core, we’re proud to be part of this project supporting more women getting into the music and entertainment business.”

MBA for Africa programme director Elizabeth Sobowale said: “The Women’s Fund is MBA’s commitment to ensuring 50% women participation in the programme. Last year, we noticed that women were the highest achievers and we’re aware that women are less likely to enrol in the course. The music industry is already quite a hostile environment for women, so we want to ensure that the Music Business Academy for Africa bridges this gap.”

MBA for Africa is expected to enhance participants’ knowledge of how to use platforms like Linkfire to move music careers forward, affording them hands-on experience in releasing and promoting music to create sustainable careers for artists.

The application deadline is 30 June.

Applications are ongoing here.

More information about the training is available here.