AFRIMA Boss Champions Pan-African Cultural Federation At Moroccan Forum

Mr. Mike Dada, President of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), stood shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders in the cultural and creative industries this week, advocating for a unified and economically empowered future for Africa’s cultural sector at the 3rd Moroccan Forum of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI).

Held in Rabat from December 11th to 14th, 2025, under the distinguished High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the forum was meticulously organized by the HIBA Foundation, a testament to Morocco’s commitment to fostering its burgeoning creative economy.

The event served as a crucial melting pot, bringing together policymakers, investors, cultural operators, academics, and creative professionals from a diverse array of nations including Senegal, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, Germany, France, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and Quebec.

Over four intensive days, participants delved into strategies for fortifying African cultural ecosystems and amplifying the economic impact of their creative industries.

Mr. Dada, a respected lawyer, Public Relations Consultant, and a recognized expert in the creative economy, represented AFRIMA and the African music landscape with a powerful voice.

He was a prominent participant in a key panel discussion titled “Towards a Pan-African Federation of Cultural Operators: What lessons can be drawn from past experiences, and how can we project forward?”

The crucial conversation centered on fostering inter-continental knowledge sharing, cultivating robust partnerships, and proactively promoting cross-border cultural exchange.

During the lively exchange, Mr. Dada underscored the significant role AFRIMA plays in collaboration with the African Union, highlighting the awards platform’s success in elevating African music onto the global stage.

He passionately articulated the imperative for increased investment, targeted training initiatives, and enhanced collaboration to nurture the continent’s cultural industries and unlock greater opportunities for its vibrant youth demographic.

“Africa’s creative industry is not just growing; it is becoming a powerful economic force,” Mr. Dada declared. “What we need now is stronger cooperation across the continent, better policies, and sustainable investment.

If we can achieve that, our cultural sector will contribute far more to national development than it does today.”

He further emphasized the invaluable nature of the forum: “This forum gives us the platform to exchange ideas, learn from global partners, and build a shared vision for African culture.

Conversations like this help us understand what is working, what needs to change, and how we can move forward together as one creative continent.”

Mr. Dada reaffirmed AFRIMA’s unwavering commitment to its mission. “Through AFRIMA, we continue to promote African music to the world, support young creatives, and strengthen partnerships between countries. Our goal is to make sure African talent is visible, respected, exposed to global opportunities and celebrated everywhere.”

Adding to the networking opportunities, Mr. Dada attended a special reception hosted by the Ambassador of France to Morocco, Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, on December 12th.

This gathering provided a conducive environment for cultural leaders to engage in dialogue and explore potential new collaborative ventures.

AFRIMA, established in 2014 by the International Committee AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union (AU), stands as Africa’s premier global music awards platform.

Its mission is to globally celebrate, reward, and promote the continent’s diverse musical talents and rich cultural heritage.

The upcoming 9th Edition of AFRIMA is slated to take place from January 7th to 11th, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, with the event set to be broadcast live in over 84 countries worldwide.