UMG AFRICA EXPANDS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Universal Music Group has expanded its Sub-Saharan Africa leadership team, promoting Sipho Dlamini to CEO, Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dlamini will continue to oversee all of UMG’s operations in English-speaking Africa. Since joining UMG in 2016, he has been instrumental in solidifying and growing UMG’s African infrastructure, increasing the visibility of African music around the world and delivering unprecedented artist success in South Africa.

“Over the past few years, Sipho has shown great leadership, commitment and vision for music in Africa, helping UMG to introduce new talent to audiences around the world and identify opportunities to lead the industry in licensing and supporting new platforms to reach African music fans,” said Adam Granite, UMG EVP, Market Development.

Granite and Dlamini will work together to mine opportunities for artists signed to Universal Music Africa to reach new audiences around the world.

In tandem with Dlamini’s promotion, Elouise Kelly has been named Chief Operating Officer, Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Chinedu Okeke has been named Managing Director, Universal Music Nigeria.

Kelly, based in Johannesburg and reporting to Dlamini, was most recently Ogilvy’s managing director in South Africa. Prior to Ogilvy, she held senior positions at SABC, Top TV, Viacom International Media Networks and M-Net.

Okeke will lead the development and expansion of UMG’s existing operations in Nigeria and other English-speaking markets in West Africa. He will be based in Lagos and report to Dlamini. He is the founder of Eclipse Live, focused on bringing affordable live entertainment to Africa, and the Eclipse Brand Agency. He also founded and executive produces Nigeria’s Gidi Culture Festival.

“Most integral to achieving our long-term ambitions is to build a strong leadership team on the ground, with deep foundations in each country to help grow a dynamic ecosystem for all to benefit in the future,” Granite said. “Elouise and Chin both bring welcome new skills, proven entrepreneurship and important leadership experience that will only serve to bolster UMG’s position as the market leader across Africa.”