Mike Dada Joins African Collaborations Group Advisory Board
The sports and entertainment industrialisation group has appointed the AFRIMA founder to its Advisory Board, according to an announcement.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Africa
African Collaborations Group (ACG) has appointed Mike Dada to its Advisory Board, as announced in a statement on Thursday. Dada founded the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2014 and serves as Vice President of the African Union's Pan-African Congress.
Why it matters
ACG focuses on industrialising Africa's sports industry and plans large-scale districts that go beyond individual venues to include mixed-use development designed to generate revenue. Dada's background in continental cultural policy positions the group's advisory work within African Union cultural frameworks.
The projected value of Africa's sports economy is $20 billion by 2035, according to figures cited in the announcement. The statement does not detail how the projection was calculated or what ACG's specific districts will cost.
The players
Mike Dada
Mike Dada is a Nigerian cultural leader who founded the All Africa Music Awards and serves as Vice President of the African Union's Pan-African Congress.
African Collaborations Group (ACG)
African Collaborations Group is a company focused on the industrialisation of Africa's sports and entertainment sector through large-scale mixed-use districts.
African Union Commission
The African Union Commission is the executive body of the African Union, which partnered in founding AFRIMA and adopted the cultural industries action plan.
The details
The Advisory Board of ACG brings together governments, investors, financial institutions and infrastructure partners to provide strategic guidance for developing sports and entertainment districts. Dada, who led development of the AU Plan of Action on Culture and Creative Industries adopted by African leaders in 2023, joins the board as the group pursues its industrialisation agenda.
Timeline
2014: Mike Dada founds the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union Commission.
2023: African leaders adopt the AU Plan of Action on Culture and Creative Industries.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: ACG announces Dada's appointment to its Advisory Board.
2035: Africa's sports economy is projected to reach $20 billion.
Roadmap
Dada helped lead development of the AU Plan of Action on Culture and Creative Industries, which African leaders adopted in 2023. His appointment to ACG's board links that continental policy direction to commercial sports and entertainment district development.
Travellers interested in Africa's growing sports and entertainment districts should monitor official ACG announcements for project locations and opening timelines. Plans for mixed-use districts may affect future event tourism and accommodation options in the cities where they are developed.
The takeaway
The appointment signals that Africa's cultural policy and commercial sports development are being pursued together, with entertainment infrastructure positioned as a revenue source. Readers following African travel and events can expect future district projects to shape destination offerings.
Further reading
For broader regional context, see our Africa travel coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Peoples Gazette Nigeria.
