Combining a passion for music and innovation with extensive production expertise, he is a dedicated contributor to the African music industry. Through Baziks, he actively structures and shapes the Congolese music landscape.

Baya Ciamala, a Congolese entrepreneur, radio host, and producer, is the founder and president of Baziks, a music streaming application dedicated to Congolese and African music.

Baziks, initially conceived as a brand and blog in 2016 and officially registered in 2019, swiftly evolved into a startup with a clear mission. Its goal is to provide independent artists with a platform to share and directly monetize their work, circumventing traditional music industry channels. The platform aims to empower African musicians and creators to distribute and sell their digital works directly to both local and international audiences.

Baziks offers a streaming solution entirely focused on Central African music, with particular emphasis on Congolese creativity. The platform seeks to boost the visibility of African music while protecting artists against piracy, leveraging locally developed technology. This model also aims to structure the music ecosystem in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by improving music access and ensuring fair compensation for creators.

The platform allows artists to manage their content, choose between streaming or direct downloads, and connect with their audience without intermediaries. This direct-to-fan model is built on the principle that artists should retain a significant share of the revenue generated by their work.

Each year, Baziks organizes the Baziks Digital Music Conference, an event that convenes industry experts, artists, producers, and institutional partners to strengthen ties within the music industry. In addition to this conference, the startup supports the local scene through concerts and cultural events. It also offers editorial content, crowdfunding campaigns, and digital ticketing services.

Baya Ciamala holds a degree in radio production, obtained in 2002 from the Congolese Institute of Audiovisual Media. He also earned a diploma in artistic management and project development in 2007 from the AMI Centre for the Development of Contemporary Music in France.

His professional career began in 1999 at Raga Media Sprl in Kinshasa, DRC, where he worked as a radio and TV host and producer. In 2006, he became head of the media’s radio department. From January 2011 to June 2025, he served as a public information assistant at the United Nations Mission in Congo.

Thanks to his startup Baziks, Baya Ciamala has received multiple accolades. He was the winner of the Digital Lab Africa Online Music Prize in 2016, the 1000 Entrepreneurs Prize at the Africa–France Summit in 2020, and the Orange Social Entrepreneur Award (POESAM) in DRC in 2021.

Melchior Koba