Broadcasting
Ayra Starr to Perform First-Ever YouTube Live Concert in Nairobi
Grammy-nominated African music artist Ayra Starr will perform a special YouTube Live concert streamed globally from Nairobi, Kenya.
Ayra Starr
The event, produced in partnership with Raha Fest, will celebrate the release of her sophomore album, “The Year I Turned 21”, and will be available for fans worldwide to experience on her official YouTube channel.
Ayra Starr, who is known for her distinct melodies and soulful blend of Afrobeats and pop international attention with hits like “Bloody Samaritan” and “Rush”.
Her rise in the music world has been powered not just by her undeniable talent but also by platforms like YouTube, which have enabled African artists to connect with audiences globally.
This concert will offer fans an intimate experience as Ayra Starr will perform new tracks from “The Year I Turned 21” alongside other fan favourites.
The event will be livestreamed on YouTube, making it accessible to audiences all around the world, giving them the chance to be part of this special moment.
Fans, Mobstarrs, as she calls them will also have the opportunity to engage directly with Ayra Starr through the “Woman Commando” YouTube Shorts challenge, allowing them to create and share their own interpretations of her hit single.
Additionally, exclusive behind-the-scenes content will be captured, adding another layer of excitement to the experience, which will be shared on YouTube.
Nairobi, with its vibrant music scene, deep roots in African culture, and a youth population that adores Ayra Starr, was chosen as the perfect setting for this electrifying performance.
Ayra’s growing fan base across Kenya and East Africa makes the city a fitting backdrop for her first YouTube Live concert.
Speaking about the concert, Ayra Starr said, “Performing live is where I get to connect deeply with my fans, and I’m so excited to do this on a global scale from Nairobi.
“This album means so much to me, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone through YouTube.”
Addy Awofisayo, head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa at YouTube, shared, “We are thrilled to host this Ayra Starr’s YouTube Live concert in partnership with Raha Fest.
“YouTube is not just a platform for music, but a place where artists from all over the world can connect directly with fans, no matter where they are.
“We’ve seen African music grow tremendously on YouTube, and this concert is a continuation of that journey—bringing Ayra Starr’s incredible talent to a global stage.”
“Raha Fest is proud to partner with YouTube to present an unforgettable music experience with the sensational Ayra Starr! By merging Kenya’s bustling creative scene with global acts, we’re fostering a cultural exchange and positioning Kenya as a global destination for tourism and entertainment,” said Ashleigh Ali, chief executive officer, Raha Creative Kenya.
YouTube has always been a major force in promoting African music to the world. More than 70% of watch time on content produced by channels in Nigeria comes from outside of Nigeria, showcasing how YouTube has provided a global audience for African music.
The platform continues to be a key player in amplifying the voices of artists like Ayra Starr, who are shaping the sound of today’s music.
Fans around the world can tune in to watch the concert live on October 20, 2024, at 9 PM EAT on Ayra Starr’s official YouTube channel: YouTube.com/AyraStarr.
MTN Group, one of Africa’s leading mobile network operators, has announced a strategic partnership with UK-based video software provider Synamedia to develop a new streaming platform tailored for mobile and fixed broadband subscribers across the continent.
Through the partnership, MTN aims to enhance digital content accessibility and cater to the evolving preferences of African audiences.
“We see a unique opportunity to transform video consumption in Africa with high-quality, accessible, and relevant content,” said Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer at MTN Group.
“This partnership enables us to leverage cutting-edge technology and deep customer insights to enhance entertainment experiences and drive digital inclusion.”
With the new streaming platform, MTN enters the streaming market in competition with streaming giants like Netflix, Showmax, Multichoice, and Prime Video.
By leveraging Synamedia’s advanced cloud-based technologies, the service will deliver linear television and video-on-demand content.
It is designed to support various monetisation models, including subscriptions, ad-supported content, and free streaming channels with targeted advertising.
The streaming service will offer locally adapted content based on a curated content strategy.
Each market will benefit from content curated to reflect local cultures, languages, and viewing habits, ensuring that viewers across the continent resonate with its offerings.
“Thanks to MTN’s leadership and innovation, smartphone owners across Africa will be able to enjoy innovative linear TV and on-demand video,” Paul Segre, Synamedia, CEO, said.
“By taking advantage of the breadth of our integrated, cloud-based portfolio to quickly deploy new services at scale, MTN will be able to create a groundbreaking set of offerings for customers and viewers that will drive new revenues.”
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, has said that the federal government has commenced investing in cutting-edge technologies and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment for federal media organisations to ensure effective service delivery.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation,
Alhaji Idris stated this in Las Vegas during discussions with leading broadcast and information companies at the ongoing National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show 2025.
He said such investments have led to the upgrade and replacement of obsolete infrastructure across radio and television stations owned by the Federal Government.
Dr Suleiman Haruna, director, Public Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, said the ministry was already forging partnerships with broadcast equipment manufacturers to avail local broadcasters the opportunity to benefit from emerging technologies and industry-specific training.
The minister underscored the commitment of government to collaborate with key stakeholders in the global information and broadcasting sector to strengthen Nigeria’s information dissemination framework.
Some of the executives who received the Minister and his team are Thomas King, Chairman of KINTRONIC Laboratories; Enrico Vaccari, COO of Axel Technology SRL; Gianluca Baccalini, System Engineering Solutions; and Calvin Carter, COO of Continental Electronics.
They all expressed their organisations’ readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to enhance Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape and regulatory agencies.
Alhaji Idris is leading a delegation of senior officials, including Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos (Director-General/CEO Nigeria Television Authority), Ali Muhammed Ali (Managing Director/CEO of News Agency of Nigeria), Charles Ebuebu (Director-General/CEO of National Broadcasting Commission), Dr Lekan Fadolapo (Director-General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria), and Jibrin Baba Ndace (Director-General/CEO, Voice of Nigeria).
The NAB show, running from April 5 to 9, with the theme “The Technology, The Trend, The Future”, provides valuable insights into industry trends, covering topics such as Artificial Intelligence, cloud visualization, the creator economy, and sports production and streaming.
The Nigerian delegation aims to forge new partnerships, explore content-sharing opportunities, and enhance collaboration within the global broadcasting sector, ultimately advancing the country’s media industry.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, former Nigerian Vice President, has called for stronger enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) protections across Nigeria and the African continent.
Speaking during the National IP Stakeholders Forum held at the UN Building, Abuja, in commemoration of WIPO Nigeria 5th anniversary, Osinbajo highlighted the role of innovation and creativity in driving economic growth.
He emphasised the need to enhance copyright enforcement and digital rights management on platforms like YouTube, Spotify and Netflix, urging more support for artistes and filmmakers to protect their works both nationally and internationally. Osinbajo also stressed the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s folklore and traditional expressions to unlock their commercial potential.
Addressing the challenges of IP enforcement, the former Vice President called for international cooperation, public awareness and legal reforms to combat piracy and protect Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
He also advocated for a unified African IP system to streamline patent rights and create a larger market for African innovators.
Speaking at the event, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to fostering a vibrant IP system through collaboration with WIPO Nigeria Office and other stakeholders. He lauded WIPO’s impact on Nigeria’s IP landscape.
Director, WIPO Nigeria Office, Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody while welcoming participants expressed gratitude for the continued support from the Nigerian government and stakeholders.
The forum aims to provide a platform for ongoing discussions on IP development in Nigeria.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Hon. Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa; Director-General, NOTAP, Barr. Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, Representative of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Onowu, Director-General SMEDAN and many others.
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