The Music Business Academy for Africa has announced a major rebranding, adopting a new name — the Creative Business Academy for Africa (CBA for Africa) — as part of a strategic expansion into broader segments of the continent’s creative economy.

Founded in 2020, the academy has trained more than 1,500 professionals for Africa’s music industry. The new identity reflects its widened scope, which now includes film, fashion, and other creative sectors.

The rebrand coincides with the launch of the academy’s 2026 programme, themed “IMPACT” and “An Ecosystem Template.” The upcoming edition will operate as a full business simulation integrating the business of film and fashion alongside its music curriculum.

Founder of the Creative Talent Foundation, Godwin Tom, said the transformation represents a response to the evolving needs of Africa’s creative landscape. According to him, success in the modern creative economy requires an understanding of how various sectors intersect.

“Our 2026 ‘IMPACT’ programme is a full business simulation,” he said. “We are creating an incubator where theory meets market reality, producing ecosystem builders who are results-driven.”

The 2026 CBA for Africa programme, an initiative of the Creative Talent Foundation, will feature four integrated focus areas: Music Business, Film for Music, Fashion in Music, and Talent Development.

Students will participate in a simulated creative economy, choosing roles across the ecosystem and receiving training from global industry professionals. The model is built around three pillars: Learning, Practice, and Results.

Programme Director Elizabeth Sobowale said the transition to CBA for Africa marks a new phase of growth. “We’ve proven what’s possible within music, and now we’re expanding that success across the wider creative industry,” she said. “The future belongs to those who can connect ideas, industries, and impact.”

The academy’s curriculum, developed in collaboration with Prof. Carlos Chirinos of New York University’s Music Business Programme, remains globally aligned while maintaining a strong African focus. It continues to receive support from the Creative Industries Initiative For Africa (CIIFA).