Universal Music owned label services business Ingrooves has entered the African market via the acquisition of South Africa-based Electromode.
Announcing the deal, Ingrooves boss Bob Roback said: "Music consumption in Africa continues to increase year over year and has become one of the most exciting growing music markets in the world".
Electromode will continue to be led by its MD Chris Ghelakis and his team in Johannesburg. Roback went on: "Chris and his team have built one of the most vibrant independent music distributors in Africa and we are THRILLED for him to be leading our expansion into the region".
He concluded: "We look forward to growing artists in Africa and introducing African artists to new audiences around the world".
Ghelakis himself added: "Ingrooves has the same kind of independent spirit that we have fostered over the last two decades at Electromode. Their technology platform is second to none and their expertise around the globe make them a perfect fit for our artists and labels as we look to expand their audiences".
"Ingrooves will help us open the door for many South African and African artists to be introduced to new global audiences", he went on, "while growing and developing some of the great new and established independent artists creating music in Africa".