Universal Music Group has struck an expanded deal with African music streaming service Boomplay to extend licensing of UMG’s global music catalog to upwards of 47 countries across Africa, Music Business Worldwide reports. These new markets include key territories in countries such as South Africa, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Senegal. News of the expanded deal arrives just after rival Spotify recently expanded across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. According to a press release, the outlined agreement details an “ongoing commitment to support and grow Africa’s domestic music ecosystems, while also creating new opportunities for Pan-African talent to reach new audiences domestically, regionally and around the world.” Under the new agreement, UMG’s African labels — including Def Jam Africa, Motown Gospel Africa, AI Records, and Afroforce1 — will all be supported. Additionally, the deal will also distribute artists and labels via Electromode and Ingrooves Music...