Warner Music Ventures into Lagos, Nigeria, Establishing Its First Owned Office in the Region
Warner Music Africa (WMA) is embarking on a significant expansion strategy with plans to inaugurate a new creative hub in Lagos, Nigeria, marking the initiation of Warner’s inaugural fully-owned office in the region. This move underscores Warner’s commitment to enriching Nigeria’s dynamic creative landscape by offering enhanced support in A&R, Operations, and Marketing.
The decision to expand into Lagos arrives amidst a flourishing period for the recorded music industry across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Notably, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), SSA emerged as the fastest-growing music region globally in both 2022 and 2023, with recorded music revenues surging by 24.7% in 2023, largely propelled by a 24.5% increase in paid streaming revenues.
Ahead of the official establishment of its Lagos office, Warner Music Africa’s top brass, including Alfonso Perez-Soto, President of Emerging Markets at Warner Music; Laverne Thomas, Operations Lead at WMA; Temi Adeniji, Managing Director of WMA; and Yoel Kenan, CEO of Africori, convened with Nigerian government officials in Abuja, the nation’s capital, in a pivotal engagement aimed at fostering crucial relationships and reinforcing Warner’s mission of empowering Nigeria’s vibrant creative sector.
During their visit, the Warner Music Group (WMG) executives held meetings with esteemed figures such as Minister Ayodele Olawande, Nigeria’s Minister of State For Youth Development, and Minister Hannatu Musawa, the Minister for Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, among others, to delve into youth empowerment initiatives and discuss strategies for advancing the creative sector’s role in national development.
WMG’s commitment to the Nigerian market has been longstanding, evident in its strategic investments and partnerships. In 2019, Warner Music Group invested in Chocolate City, an independent Nigerian music company, with the aim of amplifying African artists’ global reach. Subsequently, in 2022, WMG acquired a majority stake in Africori, a prominent African music distribution and artist development company, further solidifying its presence in the region.
Moreover, through initiatives like the Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund (WMG/BFF SJF), WMG has contributed over USD $400,000 to Nigeria’s creative sector, supporting organizations like the West African Vocational Education and The Sarz Academy, fostering talent development and industry growth.
Key figures within Warner Music Africa, such as Temi Adeniji and Alfonso Perez-Soto, have played pivotal roles in driving the success of Warner Music’s global artists in Africa, including Nigerian sensation CKay, whose single “Love Nwantiti” achieved 8x platinum certification in the US, and the recent signing of acclaimed Nigerian singer-songwriter Joeboy, who has amassed an impressive 2 billion streams over five years.
Additionally, Joeboy’s partnership with Warner Music Africa extends to the establishment of his record label, Young Legend, which will collaborate with Warner for global music distribution, further illustrating Warner’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and fostering a vibrant music ecosystem in Africa.
As Warner Music Africa ventures into Lagos, Nigeria, it heralds a new chapter in the region’s music landscape, promising increased opportunities and support for local artists while amplifying African music’s global impact.
