The Music Business Academy for Africa has officially rebranded as the Creative Business Academy for Africa (CBA for Africa) to reflect its expanded focus on the continent’s growing creative economy.

Founded in 2020, the academy has trained over 1,500 professionals in the music industry. The rebrand marks a deliberate shift to include film and fashion alongside music, aiming to equip creatives with skills across multiple sectors.

The announcement coincides with the launch of the academy’s 2026 programme, themed IMPACT: An Ecosystem Template, designed as a full business simulation that mirrors real-world industry operations.

Godwin Tom, founder of the Creative Talent Foundation, said the rebrand is intended to prepare trainees for an increasingly interconnected creative landscape:

“This evolution to the Creative Business Academy for Africa is more than a name change; it’s a strategic response to the demands of the modern creative economy. Success today requires a horizontal understanding of how music, film, and fashion intersect. That is why our 2026 ‘IMPACT’ program is a full business simulation. We are creating a unique incubator where theory meets market reality, forging professionals who are not just knowledgeable, but proven, results-driven ecosystem builders.”

The 2026 programme will feature four components: Music Business Programme, Film for Music Programme, Fashion in Music Programme, and Talent Development Programme. Participants will assume roles across an integrated ecosystem and receive training from industry professionals in an incubator-style environment.

Elizabeth Sobowale, Programme Director, highlighted the expansion as a way to extend the academy’s influence beyond music:

“We’ve proven what’s possible within music, and now we’re expanding that success across other parts of the creative industry. The future of Africa’s creative economy belongs to those who can connect ideas, industries, and impact, and that’s exactly what we’re training our people to do.”

Developed in collaboration with Prof. Carlos Chirinos of New York University’s Music Business Programme, the CBA for Africa curriculum remains globally informed while maintaining a distinctly African focus, supported by the Creative Industries Initiative For Africa (CIIFA).

The academy emphasized that its approach continues to rest on three pillars: learning, practice, and results, aiming to produce professionals ready to thrive in Africa’s dynamic creative economy.