Tiwa Savage, the internationally acclaimed Afrobeats pioneer, has launched the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation to empower Africa’s next wave of music creatives. This initiative spotlights the unsung heroes—producers, engineers, and executives—driving the industry’s growth amid global shifts like AI.
Foundation’s Vision
The foundation stems from Savage”s belief that Afrobeats’ global rise relies on a robust ecosystem, not just artists. She drew from her own Berklee College of Music scholarship at age 24, which unlocked global systems and creativity’s deeper layers. “Talent is universal, but access is not,” she emphasizes, vowing to provide similar opportunities as technology reshapes music.
Flagship Program
Partnering with Berklee, the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program runs April 23–26, 2026, training 100 students in performance, songwriting, production, and music business. Held in Nigeria, it bridges local talent with elite standards, reflecting Tiwa’s journey as a Berklee alumna (PDM ’07).
Savage said
Afrobeats has captured the world’s attention but an industry cannot stand on artists alone. Behind every global sound is an ecosystem of Producers, engineers, entertainment lawyers, publishers, innovators, composers, the person who scores the music to your favorite movie or the person who uses music as a tool for healing. These are the architects of structure, ownership and longevity. If we do not intentionally develop them, we weaken the very house we are trying to grow.
I know this personally because at the age of 24. I was awarded a scholarship to attend the world-class institution, Berklee College of Music. That opportunity changed my perspective. It expanded my understanding of global systems, and the power of knowledge behind creativity. It showed me that talent is universal — but access is not.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation is my commitment in giving others that same opportunity that was given to me because as technology reshapes music, we must be prepared. Artificial Intelligence is transforming everything, the question is not whether it will affect African music … it already is. The question is whether we will be educated leaders in this space, or observers left behind.
For too long, African creatives have been perceived as late to global systems. Education changes that. Access changes that. Ownership changes that.”
Cultural Impact
For African creatives long seen as latecomers to global systems, this fosters education, access, and ownership—key to leading in an AI-driven era. It’s a blueprint for sustainable industry growth, aligning with Nigeria’s booming music scene.
