In a bold move to revolutionize Africa’s creative economy, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at empowering 1.2 million young Africans through structured education and skills development in music, technology, and event production.

Unveiled during the AFRIMA 2025 Music Conference and Host City announcement at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the new program, The AFRIMA Kreative Academy (TAKA), represents a strategic pivot from mere celebration of talent to long-term investment in Africa’s creative potential.

With the theme “Learn and Prosper,” the academy will deliver hands-on training to African youths aged 18 to 35, with a special emphasis on underserved and marginalized communities. The five-year project will run three intensive training cycles annually, each lasting four months, focusing on practical skill-building in music production, music business, entrepreneurship, event technical production, digital technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

AFRIMA’s Founder and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, emphasized that this initiative addresses the glaring gap in professional training within Africa’s booming creative sector. “Beyond skill acquisition, TAKA is expected to drive broader social and economic benefits, including improved knowledge and capacity among young creatives, increased job creation, the promotion of African culture, and overall economic empowerment that will drive prosperous Africa,” he said. 

TAKA will engage successful African and diaspora-based artists, producers, engineers, and event professionals as mentors, trainers, and potential employers, ensuring participants receive top-tier instruction and exposure to real-world industry demands.

But beyond individual growth, Dada stressed TAKA’s potential for broad socio-economic impact. “If Africa wants to keep competing at the global level in the music and cultural industry, we must do more than just celebrate talent. We have to invest in training and preparing our young people for real opportunities in the industry.”

To ensure the academy’s sustainability and scalability, AFRIMA is actively seeking partnerships with tech companies, investors, development organizations, and governments. Plans are also underway to establish an endowment fund to support the academy’s operations and long-term goals.

Meanwhile, AFRIMA is gearing up for a global expansion. Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa, announced that the awards platform will launch a Global Tour starting in 2026, featuring live mega shows and cultural events across Africa and major cities worldwide.

“Music concerts and tours are important for building a strong music industry,” said Ndifonka. “They give artists the chance to perform live, connect with fans, earn money, and sharpen their stage skills. This tour will travel through many cities in Africa and beyond.“

As AFRIMA 2025 gains momentum with Lagos unveiled as the Host City, excitement continues to build toward the Awards Week scheduled for November 25 to 30. The week will include major events like the Africa Music Business Summit, Music Village Festival, and the grand finale Awards Ceremony on November 30, which will be broadcast live on over 84 TV stations and digital platforms globally.