Afrobeats Now “Rhythm, Revenue, Blueprint for Africa’s Future”

The Lagos State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, has emphatically described Afrobeats as a “youth-powered economic engine” and "one of Africa’s greatest exports to the world." She made this declaration during the global launch of the 2025 Afrobeats Inaugural Policy Report, hosted by Harvard University’s Centre for African Societies and Economies (CSASE) in collaboration with Rise Interactive Studios, at Delborog Hotel, Victoria Island.

Speaking to an influential audience of scholars, policymakers, and creative industry leaders, Benson-Awoyinka underscored that Afrobeats has transcended its origins to become not merely a cultural phenomenon but a major driver of economic growth, significant job creation, and global influence. She strongly stated, “Culture is not just entertainment; culture is infrastructure, technology, economic policy and identity.” She affirmed that Lagos, being the home base for many of Africa’s leading artists and producers, has evolved into a "creative megacity" with profound global impact.

​Under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, the State has strategically expanded talent development programmes, strengthened cultural infrastructure, and built crucial international partnerships. These efforts are aimed at firmly positioning Lagos as Africa’s undisputed cultural and entertainment capital. The Commissioner also aligned Lagos’ initiatives with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the orange economy covering music, film, fashion, animation, gaming, and design as a key driver of national development and global competitiveness.

Benson-Awoyinka stressed that despite Afrobeats’ global dominance, the industry’s long-term stability and continued growth depend heavily on stronger legal and economic frameworks. She called for critical reforms across several areas, including intellectual property protection, royalty systems, creative financing, and anti-piracy enforcement. She also paid tribute to the Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, acknowledging his global cultural legacy and noting that his revolutionary sound laid the essential foundation for today’s Afrobeats movement.

The Commissioner highly praised the 2025 Policy Report, produced by Harvard CSASE and Rise Interactive Studios, describing it as the first comprehensive framework offering policymakers and investors a long-term, actionable strategy for building the Afrobeats economy into a stable global industry. She reaffirmed Lagos’ unwavering commitment to building Africa’s most vibrant creative economy and extended an invitation to global investors, institutions, and innovation hubs to collaborate directly with the state.