Universal, Warner expand African music investment in Ethiopia, Ghana

Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group (WMG) are continuing to invest in the African music business scene to boost streaming platforms’ catalogue and amplify the voices of more African talents.

UMG is set to deepen its footprint in Africa with a licensing agreement with Sewasew Multimedia, an Ethiopian music and entertainment company. Sewasew is a streaming platform that has signed over 100 artists, including the top artists in the Ethiopian music scene.

Under the DSP agreement with UMG, Ethiopian consumers will gain access to a broader range of music from UMG’s catalogue as Sewasew Multimedia will license and market UMG’s catalogue of music in Ethiopia.

The deal includes music from Universal Music’s global labels including Def Jam, Interscope Records, Island Records, Motown Records, Republic Records, and Virgin Records.

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Ethiopian music enthusiasts will enjoy a more extensive selection of music from UMG’s diverse catalogue, as Sewasew Multimedia undertakes the licensing and marketing of UMG’s musical repertoire in Ethiopia. The arrangement spans music from Universal Music’s global labels, including iconic names like Def Jam, Interscope Records, Island Records, Motown Records, Republic Records, and Virgin Records.

The agreement also extends to music from UMG’s African divisions, such as Def Jam Africa, Motown Gospel Africa, and Republic Records Africa, solidifying UMG’s commitment to fostering musical diversity and collaborations on the African continent.

In a similar development, Warner Music Group (WMG) is also expanding its presence in Africa through a partnership with Small World Records, the label and publisher founded by Ghanaian music entrepreneur and artist SmallGod.

This collaboration sees Small World Records working alongside teams from Warner Music, ADA, and Warner Chappell Music to elevate its roster of artists and writers to an international audience.

According to WMG, this partnership is not just about business but also the shared goal of discovering, nurturing, and amplifying a new generation of African musical talent. The inaugural release under this collaboration will be “Fallen Angel” by SmallGod and Black Sherif, marking the beginning of a venture to contribute to the global recognition of African musical creativity.