Tiwa Savage Music Foundation gains tech industry backing for African talent

The partnership was unveiled during the foundation’s launch event held on 9 March 2025 at The Delborough Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. The event brought together figures from the entertainment industry, government and business sectors.

Founded by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage, the foundation seeks to support emerging talent through music education, mentorship and professional development opportunities. Its programmes are designed not only for performers but also for producers, composers, sound engineers and music business professionals.

Among those who attended the launch were Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State; Layal Tinubu, co-founder of the Noella Foundation; Stanley Uzochukwu, chairman of The Delborough Lagos; politician Florence Ita Giwa; media executive Mo Abudu; and Don Jazzy and Tega Oghenejobo of Mavin Records. Representatives from the United States Consulate were also present.

Savage said the initiative aims to address structural challenges faced by many artists on the continent.

“Africa has always had the talent. What our artists have needed is the infrastructure, the access, and the belief,” she said. “Tonight, with partners like Flutterwave standing behind us, we are building all three.”

Olugbenga 'GB' Agboola, founder and chief executive officer of Flutterwave, addressed the event alongside Savage, Sanwo-Olu, Savage’s manager Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna, and Jason Carmelio from Berklee College of Music.

“At Flutterwave, our dream has always been to connect Africa to the world and the world to Africa,” Agboola said. “Tiwa’s dream is to take Nigerian and African creative talent global. These are not two separate dreams; they are the same dream. That is why this partnership makes perfect sense.”

As part of the partnership, Flutterwave has made a financial contribution to support the foundation’s programmes and long-term plans.

The foundation intends to create pathways for African musicians to access global music education and industry networks. According to organisers, this includes potential scholarships for students to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, United States, as well as plans to establish a permanent music school in Nigeria.

The partnership forms part of Flutterwave’s broader efforts to support community initiatives beyond its payments technology services. The company operates payment infrastructure across multiple African markets and facilitates cross-border transactions for businesses and individuals.