EMPIRE founder/CEO Ghazi has announced the launch of EMPIRE Africa, with three execs spearheading its hub in Lagos, Nigeria: VP Market Development Ezegozie Eze Jr., Regional Head West Africa Kareem Mobalaji and Project Manager Titilope Adesanya.

Eze, Mobolaji and Adesanya will broker talent partnerships and promote artists in Western Africa and the continent at large.

The news comes after several high-profile EMPIRE releases in Africa, including Fireboy DML's hit single "Peru" f/Ed Sheeran, Olamide's Carpe Diem and Burna Boy's Twice as Tall (distributed by EMPIRE in Africa).

Eze most recently served as GM of Universal Nigeria, where he was instrumental in developing UMG's growth strategies in Western Africa. A marketing and A&R exec, Mobalaji has worked with WizKid, Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage, among others. Adesanya, who's done stints in music journalism and marketing, comes to EMPIRE Africa from digital-distribution company Africori.

EMPIRE Africa has already entered into strategic partnerships with several rising acts and entities in the region, including Olamide's YBNL label, home to Fireboy DML, Afro B, Zlatan, Wande Coal and Patoranking.