The French Embassy, in partnership with Mavin Records and Sacem, has launched the Afrocroiser initiative, a songwriting camp aimed at boosting music composition in Nigeria.
This initiative brings together French and Nigerian songwriters to create together and foster dialogue between two major music scenes.
Kizito Ahams, senior publishing and licensing manager, Mavin Records, said songwriting camps like Afrocroiser are critical to how global hits are shaped today.
“This initiative is as much about creative excellence as it is about knowledge exchange, how writers work, how they collaborate, and how value is fairly created and shared across borders,” he said.
“Bringing French Sacem-affiliated composers into the Mavin ecosystem creates a rare opportunity for cross-pollination that can lead to globally competitive works while strengthening professional standards on both sides.”
The first edition, which kicked off on January 18 and will run till January 25, 2026, holds at Mavin Records Studios in Lagos, with the participation of renowned French and Nigerian composers.
Funded by the Création Africa program of the French Embassy, Afrocroiser offers an intensive week of music creation, exchange and collective work. Over seven days, participants will combine their creative worlds to explore new musical forms and new ways of working.
On the French side, a rigorous selection of Sacem affiliated composers from diverse musical backgrounds (pop, afro-pop, shatta, chanson and more) who have collaborated with French and international artists such as Aya Nakamura, Gims, Booba, Vianney, Indochine, Jul, as well as Jason Derulo and Major Lazer, has been assembled: Dany Synthé, Julio Masidi, Ozhora, PSK, Renaud Rebillaud, Seysey, Shannon and Voluptyk.
On the Nigerian side, the camp will welcome composers behind some of the biggest global Afrobeats hits such as “Calm Down” and “Dumebi” by Rema, “Rush” by Ayra Starr, and “Unavailable” by Davido: Mbryo, Andre Vibez, Magixx, Bayanni, Kold AF, Elestee, Deeno, Milar, Ragee and Ozedikus.
Margaux Demeersseman, regional music attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa, said “Given the importance of our respective markets and the musical movements emerging from them, the connections between France and Nigeria have never been more obvious.”
“Through Afrocroiser, our ambition is to build lasting relationships between composers and music publishing professionals from both countries. With Mavin and Sacem, we are bringing together committed partners to support this long-term vision.”
For the first time, talents will collaborate to explore new artistic directions at the intersection of Nigerian Afrobeats and French pop. The works created during the songwriting camp may be pitched from the Mavin Records label, including Rema and Ayra Starr, and leading artists from the French music scene.
Looking to build a lasting bridge between two music industries, the Nigerian music scene is currently enjoying unprecedented international influence and plays a central role in redefining global pop music. At the same time, French artists benefit from strong international recognition and have maintained close musical ties with the African continent for several years.
Akotchayé Okio, director of international development, Sacem, said, “Musical creation thrives on encounters between different worlds, cultures and perspectives. With AFROCROISER, Sacem aims to offer French and Nigerian composers a space for freedom and dialogue at the heart of one of the most dynamic music ecosystems in the world.”
“Following initiatives in Europe, Asia and the United States, it felt natural to develop this project in Lagos, the beating heart of African music, alongside Mavin Records, a key player in Afrobeats, and the French Embassy in Nigeria, which has long supported cultural stakeholders in the country,” Okio added.
