The Voice Africa debuts with $100,000 Grand Prize
Chief Executive Officer, Fame Studio Africa, Akin Salami (left); Vice President, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Africa PLC, Emeka Oparah; Music Artist, Paul Okoye (Psquare); Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji; Music Artist, Peter Okoye (Psquare); Founder/Chief Executive Officer, HIP TV, Ayo Animashaun and Head, Brand Research and Communications, Airtel Africa, Nandu Buty, during the press conference to announce the commencement of The Voice Africa in Lagos recently.<br />
After a successful run with The Voice Nigeria, Airtel Africa has announced the launch of The Voice Africa, which would have music talents from 14 countries compete for the grand prize of $100,000 (approx. N43.6 million).
In a chat with Weekend Beats during a press conference in Lagos, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said: “As a business, we are driven by the purpose to transform lives, and that means unlocking the potential for people to grow. The Voice Africa gives us an incredible platform to help discover and champion the musical talents of young Africans, enabling them to achieve their full potential. I believe the drama and excitement around their stunning performances will unite people across the continent.
“Our musical landscape is culturally rich, vibrant, and dynamic and the rhythms of Africa are already making a massive impact globally. There is a huge opportunity for African music to be exported on a scale larger than ever before, and The Voice Africa has come to empower our young talent and help them fulfil their ambitions. Airtel Africa is facilitating the emergence of successful musicians who can compete with their peers from anywhere in the world.”
The debut season of The Voice Africa will be streamed to millions of Africans via Airtel TV, Free Air Stations (FTAs) and paid channels across 14 countries in Africa.
It is expected to attract and showcase the brightest of African musical talents, alongside a high-profile panel of coaches and TV hosts, and act as a launchpad for global recognition. Seven participants from each of the 14 countries will be selected to participate in the programme, with one of them eventually crowned The Voice Africa.
The Voice Africa is the latest initiative from Airtel Africa designed to support the continent’s most valuable asset; the youths. Over the years, Airtel Africa has sponsored MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs), the Zain Africa Challenge, which brought university students together in a quiz contest, and the Airtel Rising Stars, a football tournament for Under-15 boys and girls.
The Voice Africa will commence with a call for virtual auditions on October 19 followed by live auditions later this year. The show will be broadcast in March 2023, with the grand finale taking place later in the year.
