“Ghanaian Music Led Afrobeats, We Can’t Be Written Out of the Story” : AFROFUTURE CEO Abdul Karim

Abdul Karim, CEO of AFROFUTURE , joined the Culture Squad on Culture Daily this morning for a wide-ranging conversation on culture, music and the future of Ghana’s creative economy.

Speaking on the festival’s remarkable growth, Abdul Karim, revealed that attendance has tripled in recent years. “We grew from 4,000 people to 12,000 people,” he shared, pointing to the increasing global interest in Ghana’s cultural experiences and the power of intentional programming.

One of the major milestones for AFROFUTURE this year, according to him, is sponsorship. For the first time since the festival’s inception, local brands are fully backing the event. “This is the first year that local sponsorship is carrying the show. We’ve never had that,” he said, describing it as a turning point for confidence in Ghana’s creative industry.

Beyond the festival itself, AFROFUTURE  is pushing conversations that shape the industry.  Abdul Karim highlighted a planned music roundtable that brings together music executives to address structural challenges. “We have a music round table with music executives, where we figure out how to make our own music ecosystem,” he noted.

He also raised concerns about Ghana’s diminishing visibility in the global Afrobeats narrative. “Ghanaian music led the Afrobeats story. I feel like we’re being written out of the story and that’s a problem for me,” Abdul Karim  stated, calling for strategic collaboration to reclaim Ghana’s influence.

Adding to the conversation, Akosua Ayim emphasized AFROFUTURE ’s broader mission. “We’re trying to create opportunities for Ghanaians to connect with the diaspora… this is for Ghanaians, by Ghanaians,” she said, reinforcing the festival’s cultural and economic purpose.

On inclusivity, Abdul Karim made it clear that AFROFUTURE  is designed for everyone. “Our target audience is everybody that can buy a ticket or is willing to buy a ticket,” he explained, underscoring the festival’s open and community-driven approach.

Looking ahead, Abdul Karim stressed the need for collective action across the continent. “Where Africa is going, we need to compound our efforts and create impact,” he concluded, positioning AfroFuture not just as an event, but as a movement aimed at shaping Africa’s cultural future.

With growing attendance, strong local support, and a renewed focus on ecosystem-building, AFROFUTURE continues to assert itself as a key platform for Ghanaian culture on the global stage.