Warner Music Group (WMG) has completed its full acquisition of Africori, three years after securing a majority stake in the African music company. The deal marks the next step in WMG’s expansion in Africa, a region that has drawn increasing attention from global music companies due to its growing digital market and rising influence in the industry.
Africori, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Johannesburg, has been a key player in Africa’s independent music sector. The company provides digital distribution, artist development, and publishing services to thousands of musicians across the continent. WMG initially invested in Africori around five years ago and increased its stake to a majority share in early 2022. Now, it has fully acquired the company, which will continue operating as a Warner Music subsidiary. Africori’s founder, Yoel Kenan, will remain as CEO and report to Warner Music Africa’s managing director, Temi Adeniji.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, though details may emerge in Warner Music’s future earnings reports. In the meantime, the company has confirmed that it has integrated its systems with Africori, enabling artists to access WMG’s global network and resources. Africori currently works with over 7,000 independent artists and labels. Several of its clients have charted in 2025 with releases such as “Sdakiwe Sbali,” “Ndsize,” and “Vuka.”
Temi Adeniji described the acquisition as a strategic move that builds on the collaboration between the two companies. She noted that Warner Music’s investment in Africori has facilitated artist growth by providing opportunities for global exposure, including international remixes and cross-genre collaborations.
Africa’s music industry continues to expand, with streaming services and live events attracting investment from both local and international players. Companies such as Mdundo, Universal Music, and Live Nation have been expanding their presence in the region, while Yamaha has strengthened its partnership with Audiomack. Warner Music itself has been increasing its footprint in Africa, and this acquisition reinforces its commitment to the market.
As WMG integrates Africori into its global operations, industry observers will be watching how the move impacts African artists and labels, as well as Warner’s broader strategy in the region.
