The program was designed to provide emerging professionals with direct exposure to the operational realities of building a music-technology platform within Africa’s growing creative economy. Rather than focusing on observation alone, the initiative emphasised hands-on participation, structured learning, and meaningful contributions to real start-up workflows.

Today, we are proud to mark the completion of Hafrikplay Cohort 1, recognising the individuals who participated in this first generation of the program and the contributions they made to the growth of the platform.

Cohort 1 Graduates

The first cohort welcomed a small group of individuals who worked closely with the Hafrikplay team throughout the six-month program.

Cohort 1 graduates include:

• Ibukun Matthew
• Itunu Idowu Ogunfile
• Oluwapelumi Adedigba

During the program, these participants contributed to several areas of Hafrikplay’s operations and internal development.

Their work included:

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  Artist and platform coordination

  
  


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  Strategic research and reporting

  
  


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  Campaign planning and execution

  
  


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  Technology workflow systems

  
  


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  Executive support and operational tasks

  
  


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  Partnership research and structuring

  
  

Unlike traditional internship environments, participants did not only observe company activities. Instead, they engaged directly with projects and supported live operational workflows across the organization.

As a result, they experienced the pace and structure required to operate inside a growing technology start-up.

Learning Through Real Start-up Experience

At Hafrikplay, we believe practical exposure plays a critical role in professional development. Therefore, the program focused on providing real-world experiences that reflect the dynamics of the creative technology sector.

Throughout the six months, participants gained exposure to:

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  Hackathons and innovation-driven environments

  
  


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  Event coordination within the music ecosystem

  
  


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  Operational system development

  
  


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  Internal workflow management

  
  


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  Collaboration within start-ups teams

  
  

More importantly, they experienced the discipline required to work within a fast-moving organization.

Start-up's require adaptability, structured thinking, and consistent execution. Because of this environment, Cohort 1 participants developed a deeper understanding of how creative technology companies operate and scale.

CEO Address: A Message from Hafrikplay’s Founder

Reflecting on the program, Omobosola Karimat Alaka, Co-Founder and CEO of Hafrikplay, shared:

“Cohort 1 was never designed to create interns — it was designed to create builders.

Over the past six months, these individuals stepped into real responsibility and experienced what it means to operate inside a growing start-up.

They contributed to our systems, supported our operations, and became part of the foundation of what we are building at Hafrikplay.”

Building Infrastructure for Africa’s Creative Economy

Hafrikplay is more than a music streaming platform.

Our broader mission is to build technology infrastructure that supports Africa’s creative economy, connecting artists, creators, and audiences through systems designed specifically for the African market.

However, infrastructure is not built by technology alone.

It also depends on the people who design, manage, and improve these systems. For this reason, developing capable operators remains an important part of Hafrikplay’s long-term vision.

Programs such as Cohort 1 help cultivate individuals who understand how creative platforms operate and how digital ecosystems evolve.

The Foundation Generation

Every organization has a first generation — individuals who step into early systems and help shape the structures that future participants will build upon.

Cohort 1 represents that moment for Hafrikplay.

Through their contributions, the participants supported internal operations, assisted with platform workflows, and helped strengthen the systems that power Hafrikplay today.

For this reason, they represent the foundation generation of the Hafrikplay talent ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As Cohort 1 concludes, Hafrikplay remains committed to creating opportunities for emerging African talent to gain meaningful experience within the creative technology sector.

Future cohorts will continue to build on the systems established during this first program while expanding the reach of the initiative.

The completion of Cohort 1 marks an important milestone for Hafrikplay.

However, it also represents the beginning of a broader effort to support the next generation of builders within Africa’s creative economy.

Africa’s creative future will not simply be streamed.

It will be built.

And Hafrikplay is proud to contribute to that journey.