By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
Mavin Records, one of Nigeria’s leading music labels, has partnered with Kay Media Africa to promote cross-border music collaboration and skills development among emerging artists and music professionals from Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
The collaboration took place during Creative Economy Week (CEW) 2026, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, as part of the British Council’s Music Connects Africa programme.
The initiative, organised by the British Council in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented locally by Kay Media Africa, brought together emerging artists, DJs and music producers for a series of music bootcamps, masterclasses and professional development activities.
Mavin Records, home to internationally acclaimed Afrobeats stars, including Ayra Starr and Rema, contributed its creative and industry expertise to the programme, facilitating collaboration between Nigerian and Zimbabwean music professionals and creating opportunities for regional and international music exchange.
The engagement, delivered under the Music Connects Africa International Recording Camp, featured co-creation workshops, songwriting and music production sessions, as well as masterclasses on digital distribution, branding, content development, marketing and audience engagement.
The programme is designed to support artists and music professionals through mentorship, skills development, showcasing opportunities and access to industry networks that can promote sustainable careers within Africa’s creative economy.
Speaking on the partnership, Kay Media Africa co-founder, Keith Kuhudzai, said collaboration provides opportunities for artists and industry practitioners to exchange ideas, establish partnerships and strengthen the creative sector.
He noted that initiatives such as Music Connects Africa help broaden perspectives and deepen relationships that contribute to the growth of the music industry.
Similarly, Mavin Records’ Artists and Repertoire Manager, Akachi Iboko, emphasised the importance of building a strong pan-African music industry to achieve global recognition.
According to him, such collaboration would benefit not only artists but also African economies, while music and the arts provide platforms for cultural understanding and greater appreciation of different communities.
Zimbabwean artists, DJs and producers who participated in the recording camp included Tapiwa, Noluntu J, Kim Makumbe, Paintafresco and Verseless. UK-based spoken-word artist Binta Yade and music producer Daviaa also participated, further enriching the international exchange.
Reflecting on the experience, Noluntu J described the programme as informative and transformative, noting that it exposed her to Mavin Records’ approach to artist development, content creation and maintaining relevance in the digital space.
She said working with Mavin Records had opened new opportunities for her to explore the Nigerian music industry.
Creative Economy Week 2026, hosted by the British Council and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, brought together artists, creatives, policymakers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs under the theme, “Inclusive Growth Through Collaboration.”
The event aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and professional skills while equipping young people with the capacity to establish and sustain economically viable businesses in the creative sector.
British Council Zimbabwe Country Director, Lloyd Anderson, said the initiative was designed to move beyond celebrating artistic talent towards strengthening the systems that enable creative professionals to earn sustainable incomes and expand their businesses.
He explained that the partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland was supporting practical opportunities, skills development, professional networks and market connections needed for sustainable growth in the creative industries.
Creative and cultural sector partners from Nigeria, India and the United Kingdom also joined their Zimbabwean counterparts to deliver roundtable discussions, workshops and artistic masterclasses, promoting knowledge exchange across the wider creative economy.
The collaboration underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in developing Africa’s creative industries, creating opportunities for emerging talents and strengthening the continent’s position in the global music market.
Tags: Mavin Records, Kay Media Africa, British Council, Music Connects Africa, Creative Economy Week 2026, Ayra Starr, Rema, African Music Industry.
