About Us - Creative Business Academy for Africa

OUR STORY

The Creative Business Academy for Africa, formerly known as the Music Business Academy for Africa, is a platform dedicated to developing a more informed and empowered workforce for the creative industries in Africa. powering Africa’s Creative Workforce.

OUR VISION

To build a functional ecosystem by training and developing a more informed and empowered workforce for Africa’s music and creative industries.

OUR MISSION

Elaborate on the mission, including skill development, contribution to growth, talent discovery, and industry connections.

SEVEN+ YEARS, EMPOWERING AFRICA'S CREATIVE WORKFORCE

# of Students Trained across AFrica, Europe & North America

0 +

The Creative Business Academy for Africa (CBA) has evolved significantly from its origins.

Internship

It began in 2017 as an Internship programme with the founder, Godwin Tom.

TMT Programme

The program later transformed into a Talent Management Training Programme with Godwin Tom

MBA for Africa

Recognizing the increasing global interest in African music, the institution formally became the Music Business Academy for Africa (MBA for Africa) in 2020.

CBA for Africa

This growth and expanded focus led to its current iteration as the Creative Business Academy for Africa, a platform now dedicated to developing an informed and empowered workforce for the broader creative industries in Africa, encompassing not only music but also its intersection with fashion and film.

THE BIG PROBLEMS WE ARE SOLVING

The Creative Business Academy for Africa (CBA) is dedicated to tackling critical challenges within the continent’s vibrant, yet underserved, creative industries. Its mission is to develop a skilled and empowered workforce by directly addressing:

Limited Education

5 / 1600

Africa faces a significant gap in specialized education for creative professionals. Despite a multitude of universities, less than 5 out of over 1600 institutions offer music business management as a dedicated course

50%

This lack of formal training means that 50% of African creatives currently lack formal education in their field (UNESCO, 2019), hindering their ability to professionalize and thrive in a global market.

Funding Gap

2%

The African music industry, despite representing 10% of the world’s population, generates only 2% of global music revenue (IFPI).

1%

This is exacerbated by a severe funding deficit, receiving less than 1% of global music investment (African Music Industry Report). This scarcity of investment significantly impedes growth and innovation, making it difficult for creatives to access necessary capital.

Business Skills Deficit

<70%

A key contributor to the funding and revenue gaps is the widespread lack of business acumen among creatives. Data indicates that 70% of African creatives lack essential business skills (British Council, 2019). This absence of entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities prevents talent from effectively monetizing their work, securing investments, and building sustainable careers.

OUR CORE PILLARS

The Creative Business Academy for Africa (CBA) is driven by a mission to transform the continent’s creative landscape through four core pillars:

Skill Development & Empowerment

CBA's mission emphasizes skill development and empowerment through a hands-on and practical approach to training. This is achieved via a comprehensive, 9-month curriculum developed in partnership with Associate Prof Dr. Carlos Chirinos PhD of New York University, focusing on music and its intersection with fashion and film. The program provides young talents with industry knowledge and practical experience, including a Talent Development Programme where students complete various practical tasks and assignments to evaluate their knowledge and gain hands-on experience.

Contribution to Growth

The academy aims to significantly contribute to growth by cultivating a knowledgeable workforce for Africa's creative industry. This initiative seeks to establish a self-sustaining creative ecosystem and boost the African economy through innovative music industry business models and practices. By addressing the data that shows the African music industry generates only 2% of global revenue, CBA works to unlock the immense potential for economic expansion.

Talent Discovery Pipeline

A crucial part of CBA's mission is establishing a platform and pipeline for discovering, assessing, and developing new creative and business talents. The Talent Development Programme serves this purpose by providing real-world work experiences and structured workshops, such as the Writers Workshop and Artist Workshop, leading to album and video production. This creates a structured pathway for emerging creatives to refine their skills and gain exposure.

Collaboration & Partnerships

CBA is committed to facilitating connections, collaborations, and partnerships between African and international music industry stakeholders. This is achieved through networking events, guest lectures, and an industry-leading faculty composed of seasoned professionals and veterans who share their practical experiences. These connections are vital for opening doors, fostering cross-cultural projects, and integrating African talent into the global creative market.

CBA FOR AFRICA STARTS IN