Mavin Records, the French Embassy in Nigeria, and French authors’ society Sacem have jointly announced the launch of AFROCROISER, a Franco-Nigerian songwriting camp. The initiative is designed to foster collaboration between composers from the two countries through a week-long creative residency.
The first edition of AFROCROISER is scheduled to take place from January 18 to 25, 2026, at Mavin Records Studios in Lagos. The camp will bring together a selected group of French and Nigerian songwriters for an intensive period of co-writing and musical exchange, with the goal of generating new material for potential release.
Funding for the initiative is provided by the Création Africa program, a cultural and economic development project administered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
According to statements from the organizing partners, the camp aims to create a sustainable bridge between the two music ecosystems.
Nigeria’s music industry has seen significant global growth in recent years, while the French market maintains strong cultural and commercial ties across the African continent.
“Songwriting camps like AFROCROISER are critical to how global hits are shaped today,” said Kizito Ahams, Senior Publishing & Licensing Manager at Mavin Records. “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.”
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
Kizito Ahams -Senior Publishing & Licensing Manager at Mavin Records
The program aims to build professional connections between African and French creative industries through platforms like training programs, residencies, and networking events.
On the French side, participating composers are affiliated with Sacem and have credits with artists including Aya Nakamura, Gims, Jason Derulo, and Major Lazer. The Nigerian delegation features writers credited on major Afrobeats hits such as Rema’s “Calm Down,” Ayra Starr’s “Rush,” and Davido’s “Unavailable.”
Sacem’s Director of International Development, Akotchayé Okio, noted the organization’s strategy of fostering international composer collaborations. “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,” Okio stated.
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
Akotchayé Okio – Director of International Development, Sacem
Margaux Demeersseman, Regional Music Attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa at the French Embassy, emphasized the long-term vision behind the project. “Through AFROCROISER, our ambition is to build lasting relationships between composers and music publishing professionals from both countries,” Demeersseman said.
Material created during the camp may be pitched to Mavin Records’ roster which includes global stars Rema and Ayra Starr as well as to leading artists in the French music scene.
The initiative reflects a growing trend of internationally funded songwriting camps aimed at blending distinct musical styles and expanding publishing catalogs across borders.
