Ticketmaster announced Wednesday (July 24) that the company is expanding its presence in Africa with the acquisition of Quicket, described in a press release as “a major player in Africa’s general admission event and festival ticketing.”   

Quicket, which was founded in South Africa in 2011, is known for its self-service platform and event organizer tools. Since then, the company has expanded beyond the country to Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Botswana.

“Africa is home to some of the most passionate fans in the world who we have the privilege of connecting to the events they love, simply and securely,” said Ticketmaster president Mark Yovich in a statement. “Our commitment to delivering top-tier tools for promoters, venues, and artists is unwavering. Partnering with Quicket will supercharge our mission to elevate Africa’s dynamic live events to the global spotlight they truly deserve. Together, we are igniting a new era of unparalleled growth for African entertainment.” 

Ticketmaster launched operations on the continent in 2022 when it opened an office in Capetown, South Africa.

With the acquisition, Ticketmaster says African venues, artists and promoters will benefit from Ticketmaster’s global reach, working in tandem with Quicket’s regional expertise. The ticketing giant adds that the deal will enable the expansion of digital technologies, including secure encrypted mobile tickets, on the continent. 

Under the leadership of Quicket MD James Tagg, the company will continue to operate as a standalone business unit from Cape Town. 

“The passion for live entertainment is at the heart of African culture,” said Tagg in a statement. “Over the past 13 years, we’ve empowered event creators across the continent to deliver exceptional experiences through our ticketing platform. Partnering with Ticketmaster marks a landmark moment in connecting African artists to a global audience and enhancing the experience for local fans and promoters alike.”