June 15th 2026
TMG Announces Launch of Pan-African Talent Agency Connecting Global Artists, and Creatives to Africa
London, UK (15/06/2026) – The Malachite Group (TMG), the world’s leading live entertainment platform for African music and talent today announces the launch of its pioneering talent agency dedicated to representing and empowering music artists and creative professionals across Africa and the global diaspora. The new venture is designed to bridge international markets with the rapidly expanding African entertainment ecosystem.
The TMG Talent Agency will be led by Obi Asika, founder of The Malachite Group, former Co-Head of United Talent Agency UK (UTA) and founder of Echo Location Talent Agency, who brings decades of experience at the highest levels of global talent representation, music, and entertainment strategy.
[Obi Asika – Founder of The Malachite Group – Photo Credit Luke Nugent]
Joining Obi will be Jen Martin, former Music Operations Manager at UTA and Josh Koram, Artist Booker for Afro Nation, the pioneering festivals that form part of The Malachite Groups events portfolio and Ishbel Macpherson who takes up the role of Artist Booking Manager.
[Left to Right – Josh Koram, Jen Martin, Obi Asika, and Ishbel Macpherson – Photo Credit Luke Nugent]
Built on a vision of cultural connectivity and economic opportunity, TMG’s Talent Agency will focus on elevating African and diaspora talent and creating structured pathways for global career development. The agency will provide world-class representation, strategic partnerships and market access for artists and creatives seeking to grow their presence both within Africa and internationally.
A key differentiator of the agency is its commitment to partnering with established global talent agencies, acting as a strategic collaborator in the planning, coordination, and execution of tours, appearances and brand activations for international artists across African markets.
TMG leverages deep regional expertise, on-the-ground networks, cultural insight and access to funding to support artists entering these markets. Its services include talent representation, tour logistics and scheduling, brand partnerships, event production and market entry strategy within a highly fragmented sector lacking institutionalised partners.
A significant example of this is South African superstar TYLA who TMG Talent have confirmed as an inaugural client, in partnership with global agency The Team and led by the African Creative Agency (ACA), We Make Music and HYBE management who represent the artist globally. This is an evolution of the role Obi Asika has performed in conjunction with the artists representatives since her launch, including securing her first ever live show at Piano People in London in December 2022. Tyla also performed at Afro Nation in 2023 and returns to headline the festival in 2026 alongside Wizkid, Burna Boy and Asake showing how the TMG eco- system can support artists throughout their career trajectory. TMG Talent will offer strategic advice across the African continent and consult on touring opportunities.
[Tyla at Afro Nation 2024 – Photo Credit Afro Nation]
Obi Askia comments “Africa is the fastest growing and most culturally influential region in the world today and our mission is twofold. For TMG Talent to find, develop and promote African talent on a global stage and to be the trusted partner for existing talent agencies to unlock touring and financial opportunities and engage with audiences across the continent. We have spent the last decade working across Africa and are uniquely placed to help African talent reach the next level and support agencies to unlock the infrastructure, touring and financial possibilities within the market to allow their talent to grow their African footprint and reach new fans.”
TMG has a proven track record in building globally renowned cultural platforms for Africa and the diaspora, launching Afro Nation, the world’s leading Afrobeats festival, which has played a pivotal role in the global rise to prominence of Afrobeats and Piano People, a fast-growing series of festivals and club nights championing to the global expansion of Amapiano, one of Africa’s most influential contemporary sounds. TMG also launched the world’s first official Afrobeats charts with the BBC in the UK and Billboard in the US.
The TMG Talent Agency is both a gateway and a catalyst and is a significant step toward a more interconnected global talent ecosystem, where African markets are not just destinations, but central hubs of innovation, creativity, and influence.