The Music In Africa initiative was a key focus at the 2nd International African Music Forum (SIMA), held in Dakar, Senegal from 20 to 22 November 2014.

Numerous high-profile music operators attended a “Music In Africa” session on 21 November where the portal was presented to a wider audience. The ceremony was presided over by Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse, chairman of the Music In Africa Foundation; Aisha Deme, Music In Africa board member in charge of communication; Henrike Grohs, Music In Africa board member and director of the Goethe-Institut in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and Eddie Hatitye, director of the Music In Africa Foundation.

The event began  with the beautiful sounds of kora player Noumoucounda Cissoko and his trio. Ribio then presented a short introduction of the Music In Africa initiative before screening a short video that featured numerous local and regional artists, producers and cultural operators – all of whom welcomed the initiative and stressed the African music industry’s need for such a portal.

The Music In Africa Directory, which has over 3000 profiles of music operators from across Africa was also demonstrated and participants were able to enlist to the portal during the session. The audience also used the opportunity to point the Music In Africa team to some of the key issues that the initiative should address in the country. 

Noumoucounda Cissoko  closed the session with three songs, including a song specially dedicated to Music In Africa.

The successful staging of this event represents another successful phase of Music In Africa’s ongoing growth and development, and the result of a healthy working relationship with SIMA’s organisers, the African Music Export Office (BEMA) in Dakar.