Warner Music has announced an investment in African music company Africori.
The deal sees Warner’s Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) division provide global distribution for Africori’s catalogue, while the new partnership also establishes the major label in a number of African markets for the first time.
Africori, founded in 2009 is Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest digital distribution company, also offering music rights management and artist development services, with 6500 artists and 700 labels on its books.
“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”, says Africori CEO Yoel Kenan.
“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”.
EVP of Warner Music EEMEA, Alfonso Perez Soto, adds: “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. We can harness the power of our global network to take their great African music to a truly global audience”.
The deal follows Warner’s partnership with Nigerian record label Chocolate City last year.
