Sony Music Africa launches new business skills program as part of its $100M Global Fund to build the next generation of female music leaders in Africa

Sony Music Africa has partnered with a not-for-profit pan-African women empowerment platform, The Women of Music Business (WOMB), to launch a new ‘masterclass’ training program, supporting women working in the African music industry and helping to build the next generation of senior female music executives in the continent. The new program is the latest in a series of initiatives from Sony Music’s $100m global Social Justice Fund.

Founded by multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and music producer, Berita Khumalo, WOMB will support up to 30 female artists, producers, and managers with a minimum of two years of experience in the music industry from across Africa.

Berita Khumalo

Run in partnership with the renowned WITS Business School based in Johannesburg, participants will benefit from expert training in financial management, philanthropy, and social investment, developing the skills needed to build sustainable careers and businesses in the Africa music industry within the context of social entrepreneurship. Candidates will also benefit from networking and insights that strengthen their role as future music industry leaders in Africa.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Sony Music Africa on a program that will have a lasting impact on the African music industry,” said WOMB Founder, Berita Khumalo. “Africa faces numerous economic, political, and social challenges that require young people to approach the music business with a long-term view to better the continent. Knowledge of social entrepreneurship is particularly important in advancing women-led businesses in the music industry. So by better understanding investment and philanthropy, women participating in the program will learn how to integrate music with the social contribution to creating a significant and lasting impact.”

Sean Watson

“More than ever before, women music entrepreneurs are breaking barriers, steering their own narratives, building their own teams, and finding success,” added Sean Watson, Managing Director, Sony Music Africa. “However, with gender disparity in the African music industry being a social and economic issue, there is much more to do and I applaud Berita on leading the way across the continent. We hope our support for targeted programs like this will provide a real boost in helping empower women in the African music industry with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed.”

The program is the latest in a series of global initiatives, launched through Sony Music Entertainment’s $100 Million Social Justice Fund, which focused on addressing social inequality and injustice around the world.

The Women of Music Business abbreviated THE WOMB is a pan-African women empowerment platform founded by multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Berita. Its mission is to foster engagement, opportunities, and programs that empower and grow women in the music business across the African continent. Our vision is to eradicate gender disparity in the music industry by 2030.