Boomplay, the leading music streaming service in Africa, announced a significant expansion of its licensing agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG).

This new deal extended UMG’s global music catalog access from 7 to 47 countries across the African continent, marking a major milestone for both companies.

Key Highlights of the Deal

Expanded Access: The agreement allowed Boomplay users in key markets such as South Africa, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal to access UMG’s extensive catalog for the first time.

This included a wide range of international and local artists, enhancing the listening experience for millions of users.

Support for African Talent: UMG’s commitment to supporting Africa’s music ecosystem was underscored by this deal.

The agreement also promoted UMG’s African labels, including Def Jam Africa and Motown Gospel Africa, providing a platform for local artists to reach broader audiences.

Boomplay’s Growth: Since its launch in 2015, Boomplay had become a major player in the African music streaming market, boasting over 50 million monthly active users and more than 100 million app downloads.

The platform was known for its extensive catalog of local African content, making it a vital resource for music lovers across the continent.

Community Engagement: Boomplay actively engaged with its user base, previously giving away 250 million megabytes of data during the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate music streaming.

This community-focused approach helped solidify its position as a leading music service in Africa.

Industry Impact

The expansion of this licensing agreement came at a time when the African music industry was experiencing rapid growth and recognition on the global stage.

With UMG’s support, Boomplay aimed to further enhance its offerings and continue promoting African artists, contributing to the continent’s burgeoning music scene.

Phil Choi, Boomplay’s Director of Content & Strategy, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the exponential growth of the African music industry and the potential for even greater success through this collaboration.

Meanwhile, UMG’s CEO for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Sipho Dlamini, emphasized the importance of providing access to a diverse music catalog for fans across Africa.

This strategic alliance between Boomplay and UMG not only benefited the companies involved but also enriched the musical landscape for audiences throughout the continent, paving the way for a more vibrant and interconnected music ecosystem.