Universal Music Group To Expand Global Footprint In Africa With New Audiomack Deal

Audiomack and Universal Music Group (UMG) have signed a new licensing agreement with UMG, leader in music-based entertainment.

The deal, which expands on a previously signed licensing agreement between Audiomack and UMG for the U.S., will see UMG make its content available to Audiomack subscribers across Africa, the United Kingdom & Canada and will also provide Audiomack a full catalog offering for its premium subscribers in Africa.

As part of this new expansive agreement, Audiomack users in 16 African countries (Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe), as well as the U.K. and Canada will have access to specially curated selection of UMG content.

Dave Macli, Audiomack co-founder and CEO, said, “Millions of listeners across Africa, the UK, and Canada use Audiomack every day. Our expanded partnership with UMG helps artists in these regions better connect with their local fans and helps artists around the globe tap into a new audience of discovery-focused music fans.”

Sipho Dlamini, CEO, Universal Music South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa said, “We are excited for more fans across Africa and beyond to have greater access to some of Africa’s most exciting musical talent, as well as UMG’s unrivalled catalog of international superstars and releases. We welcome Audiomack as a partner and look forward to working with them to help strengthen the entire streaming ecosystem in Africa.”

Frank Kacou, Managing Director, Universal Music Africa said, “Working with Audiomack will enable our artists from across the continent to reach wider across both French-speaking Africa and beyond, as well as to build their audiences across Canada, the UK and US. We are excited for the future development of streaming across the continent and to finding great new ways to collaborate together with the team at Audiomack.”

Launched in 2012, Audiomack currently reaches more than 20 million monthly users globally. It is currently the top-ranked music streaming app on Apple’s iOS in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal, and Kenya.

The streaming and discovery service has played an integral role in breaking new acts and has helped rising African stars, such as Omah Lay, reach an international audience.