Apprise Music has confirmed its participation in WOMEX 2025, set for 22–26 October in Tampere, Finland. The announcement signals another milestone in the company’s ongoing mission to connect Ghanaian and African talent with the global stage.
At this year’s gathering, Apprise will lead a vibrant presentation of artists in pitch sessions, networking forums, and showcase circles, designed to open new avenues for collaboration, distribution, and international exposure.
The selected artists — including Abiana, Epixode, Rama Blak, Nativ Afrik Band, Abbi Ima, King Eazie, Osagyefo, Kim Muareen, King Nzema, Lalaboy, May Blu, and Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi — will receive strategic promotional backing. That support covers playlist placements, digital and print marketing, media visibility, and live pitching opportunities throughout the WOMEX program.
Spotlight on leadership: Michael Bamfo and Grace Nyele Mensah
Michael Bamfo – the visionary behind Apprise
As Founder and CEO of Apprise Music & Media, Michael Bamfo (Michael Kwabena Bamfo) brings over a decade of experience across artist management, digital marketing, A&R, and brand strategy. Under his leadership, Apprise has evolved from a Ghana-based distributor into a pan-African creative powerhouse with global reach.
This will mark Bamfo’s third appearance at WOMEX, building on the success of previous editions. Notably, at WOMEX 2024 in Manchester, he helped facilitate a groundbreaking collaboration between Ghanaian singer Abiana and Latvian band Auli, which led to the international release Voices of Ghana — a striking fusion of Ghanaian folk and Latvian pipe-and-drum traditions. The project was distributed by Apprise in partnership with Catapult Music Distribution.
Beyond his executive role, Bamfo also champions cultural education through Ignite Ghana!, an initiative that promotes Ghanaian traditional music via community research and teaching.
Grace Nyele Mensah – operations, publishing, and strategic direction
Overseeing operations and music publishing at Apprise, Grace Nyele Mensah plays a central role in building systems that empower independent musicians. Her representation of Ghana at the 2024 MaMA Music Convention & Festival in France positioned Apprise as an active player in the international music dialogue.
At WOMEX 2025, Grace will coordinate artist schedules, liaise with global delegates, and lead key publishing discussions arising from networking sessions — ensuring every opportunity translates into real partnerships.
WOMEX: opportunity and global strategy
WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) remains the most important international platform for world music professionals. Every October, it gathers over 2,600 delegates from about 90 countries for trade fairs, showcases, panels, and late-night deal-making sessions that shape the next wave of cross-border collaborations.
Apprise Music’s strategy for WOMEX 2025 centers on two main goals:
- To open new global pathways connecting Ghanaian and African artists with international labels, agents, promoters, and festival curators.
- To amplify Apprise’s brand as a leading African exporter of culture and music through storytelling, curated content, and strategic engagement.
Following the success of the Voices of Ghana collaboration at WOMEX 2024, the company aims to scale this model across multiple artists — solidifying Ghana’s influence in the global soundscape.
About Apprise Music & Media
Founded in 2018, Apprise Music & Media empowers independent musicians through digital distribution, marketing, publishing, and creative development. Under the leadership of Michael Bamfo and Grace Nyele Mensah, Apprise has established partnerships spanning Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East — championing authentic African music in the global market.
About WOMEX
WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) is the leading global meeting point for the world music industry. The annual event combines trade fairs, film screenings, showcases, and conferences to encourage cultural dialogue, collaboration, and artistic exchange across continents.
