Creative Economy & Cultural Export

Focus of the Day

Day 4 examines how Nigeria can convert global cultural influence into sustainable economic value. The programme focuses on the creative economy as a driver of exports, jobs and investment, moving beyond visibility to address value capture, intellectual property, financing and technology. Discussions position Nigeria’s film, music and cultural industries as scalable export sectors within a structured global marketplace.

Panel Session

Stakeholder Governance in Music & Cultural Industries: Nigeria’s Afrobeats Model for Global Export and Scalable Growth

Positioned within the World Economic Forum’s emphasis on public–private collaboration, inclusive growth, and long-term value creation, this panel will explore how Nigeria’s Afrobeats ecosystem offers a future-ready model for scaling creative industries globally. The discussion will examine governance and stakeholder frameworks that align artists, labels, digital platforms, investors, regulators, and cultural institutions from talent discovery through global distribution.

Key themes include de-risking music and live-entertainment investments through clearer IP protection, royalties administration, and regulatory clarity; mobilising long-term capital for music infrastructure such as studios, venues, festivals, and distribution platforms; and embedding local participation, digital innovation, and data transparency into Africa’s creative economy. The panel will highlight how Afrobeats is evolving from a cultural movement into a structured export industry—shaping global culture while driving jobs, foreign exchange earnings, and sustainable creative-sector growth across Africa.

Speaker: Tiwa Savage
DJ Obi
Fela Oke
Tola Odunsi