Apprise Music takes Ghanaian artists to WOMEX 2026 in Spain

Ghanaian music company Apprise Music & Media has completed its fourth participation in the Worldwide Music Expo, with its latest attendance highlighting efforts to expand international opportunities for Ghanaian musicians and strengthen connections between Africa’s music sector and the global live music industry.

Held from October 21 to 25, 2026, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, WOMEX brought together music professionals, festival organisers, booking agents, record labels, publishers, cultural institutions and performing artists from across international markets. The annual gathering combines a trade fair, professional conferences, networking activities and live music showcases, with programming spanning traditional, folk, roots, jazz, contemporary and diaspora music.

Apprise Music was represented by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Kwabena Bamfo, and Chief Operating Officer and Head of Publishing, Grace Nyele Mensah. Their participation centred on introducing Ghanaian artists to international music professionals, developing relationships with cultural and commercial organisations, and examining the challenges affecting African musicians seeking sustainable careers beyond their domestic markets.

During the five-day gathering, the Apprise Music delegation held discussions with representatives from international music organisations, record labels, festival networks and cultural institutions. Among the engagements reported by the company were meetings with a representative of the Recording Academy, the organisation behind the Grammy Awards, and a vice president of The Orchard, the music distribution and artist services company owned by Sony Music Entertainment.

The delegation also connected with cultural activists, festival promoters, artist managers, music entrepreneurs and professionals involved in international touring and artistic exchange. The meetings covered areas of potential cooperation including international market access, artist development, live performance opportunities, music rights administration and cross-border cultural projects. Apprise Music has not announced formal agreements arising from these meetings, and the discussions should not be interpreted as confirmed partnerships with the Recording Academy, The Orchard or other participating organisations.

A central part of the company’s participation was the presentation of Ghanaian music projects to international booking agents, festival programmers, promoters and other professionals involved in discovering and developing artists. The pitching activities included music and promotional materials associated with Epixode, Abiana, Yinewin, King Nzema, King Eazie, Ayizam and Rama Black, alongside other performers. The selection reflected an interest in presenting different aspects of Ghana’s contemporary musical expression, including artists whose work incorporates live instrumentation, local languages, traditional influences and modern production.

The initiative sought to expand the professional networks available to these musicians and identify international markets where their recordings and live performances could attract further interest. Although music streaming platforms have made African recordings increasingly accessible to international listeners, access to overseas concert stages often depends on additional industry structures, including booking agents, touring representatives, festival networks, cultural institutions and professional management.

Beyond commercial opportunities, Apprise Music’s involvement at WOMEX also reflected a broader interest in the international representation of Ghana’s musical heritage, including Highlife, indigenous percussion, regional folk traditions and local-language compositions. The company is also interested in the role of music in cultural diplomacy, particularly how artistic exchanges can develop relationships between African musicians and international communities.

Apprise Music & Media was founded in Ghana in 2018 and operates in digital music distribution, publishing administration, rights management and music business education. Following WOMEX 2026, the company intends to continue discussions with contacts made during the gathering and assess opportunities for future artist showcases, touring arrangements, music education and cultural exchange programmes.