Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced the launch of Warner Music Africa Francophone, a new division aimed at nurturing French-speaking talent across Africa and in France.
This expansion, a joint effort between WMG’s Africa and France offices and its distribution arm Africori, reflects the rising global popularity of Francophone music. Co-director Marc Andre Niang highlighted that while Francophone Africa is rich in cultural and artistic talent, the music industry infrastructure still faces challenges.
The new division will help artists navigate these challenges, fostering creative collaborations and boosting the region’s cultural presence on a global stage.
Francophone music has seen substantial growth, with Spotify reporting over 100 million listeners from non-French-speaking regions and nearly doubled streams since 2019.
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WMG’s expansion follows Universal Music Group’s (UMG) recent efforts, as UMG’s Def Jam Africa has also increased its focus on French-speaking African markets in partnership with independent firm Wèrè Wèrè Music, led by Binetou Sylla.