The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in African music.
Events
18 March - It is announced that Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango has tested positive for coronavirus. 21 March - The Tenor Foundation for Culture launches an initiative, in collaboration with the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra (OPM), the International School of Music and Dance (EIDM), and the Mazaya Sociocultural Program, to stream live concerts to viewers in Morocco. 30 June - Ethiopia's internet is taken down by the government amid unrest brought about by the shooting of musician and political activist Hachalu Hundessa.
Albums released in 2020
Classical
Michael Blake
Mémoriale, for large symphony orchestra
Nattlige Toner/Night Music (film score, arranged for violin and harp)
Musical films
LOUD, starring Sophie Alakija and Eucharia Anunobi
Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters (animation), with music by DJ Klem and Ava Momoh
Deaths
January 19 - Allah Thérèse, age unknown, Ivorian traditional singer
February 1 - Kofi B, age unknown, Ghanaian highlife musician (heart attack) February 9 - Abdel Aziz El Mubarak, 69, Sudanese singer (pneumonia) February 11 - Joseph Shabalala, 78, South African musician (Ladysmith Black Mambazo). February 12 - Victor Olaiya, 89, Nigerian highlife trumpeter February 15 - Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa, 31, Zimbabwean Afro Jazz singer, songwriter, producer and musician February 16 - Erickson Le Zulu, 41 Ivorian disc jockey and singer February 17 - Kizito Mihigo, 38, Rwandan gospel singer. March 18 - Kenneth Kafui, age unknown, Ghanaian composer March 19 - Aurlus Mabélé, 66, Congolese singer and composer, the "King of Soukous" March 24 - Manu Dibango, 86, Cameroonian musician and saxophonist (COVID-19) April 5 - DJ Miller (Virgile Karuranga), 29, Rwandan DJ and musician (stroke) April 7 - Hudeydi, 91, Somali musician April 14 Akin Euba, 84, Nigerian composer, musicologist, and pianist Kasongo wa Kanema, 73, Congolese musician (Orchestra Super Mazembe). April 30 – Tony Allen, 79, Nigerian drummer, composer and songwriter (abdominal aortic aneurysm) May 22 – Mory Kanté, 70, Guinean singer and musician June 1 – Majek Fashek, 57, Nigerian reggae singer and songwriter June 12 Dodo Doris, 71, Congolese musician (Orchestra Super Mazembe) Claude Ndam, 65, Cameroonian singer-songwriter June 14 – Mama Nguéa, 60, Cameroonian singer (diabetes) June 15 Omondi Long'lilo, 37, Kenyan Benga musician (cancer) Nana Tuffour, 66, Ghanaian highlife singer June 29 – Hachalu Hundessa, 34, Ethiopian singer-songwriter (shot) July 10 – Cosmas Magaya, 67, Zimbabwean mbira musician (COVID-19) August 27 – Meridjo Belobi, 67, Congolese drummer, former member of Zaïko Langa Langa and inventor of Cavacha September 21 – Hamdi Benani, 77, Algerian singer and violinist October 18 – Naâma, 86, Tunisian singer November 19 – Mshoza, 37, South African kwaito singer