Mavin Records, Kay Media Africa Collaborate For British Council’s Music Connects Africa At Creative Economy Week 2026

Artists and music producers from Zimbabwe and Nigeria engaged in a series of international collaboration and skills development activities, led by the Nigerian entertainment and record label Mavin Records, during the Creative Economy Week (CEW) 2026, held in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The Music Connects Africa programme, an initiative of 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 producers for a targeted music bootcamp and masterclass series designed to strengthen professional skills, expand networks and support cross-border collaboration.

Mavin Records, home to globally recognised Afrobeats artists including Ayra Starr and Rema, brought its creative and industry expertise into the programme, driving collaboration between Zimbabwean and Nigerian music professionals and strengthening pathways for regional and international music exchange.

The engagement delivered under the Music Connects Africa International Recording Camp featured a series of bespoke sessions, including co-creation workshops, songwriting and production sessions, as well as masterclasses on digital distribution, branding, and practical immersions in content rollout, marketing, and audience engagement.

Music Connects Africa is a music accelerator programme designed to support artists and music professionals through mentorship, skills development, showcasing opportunities and access to networks that enable sustainable career growth within the creative economy.

Speaking on the collaboration, Kay Media co-founder, Keith Kuhudzai said, “Collaboration enables artists and industry practitioners to exchange ideas, build new partnerships and strengthen the creative sector. Initiatives like this help expand perspectives and deepen connections that support the growth of the music industry.”

Artists and Repertoire Manager at Mavin Records, Akachi Iboko highlighted the importance of such partnerships, saying, “The key to going global is a strong pan-African music industry. That will be great not just for the artists but for African economies too. Music and art create platforms where people understand each other better and give people insight into real culture and communities.”

Zimbabwean artists, DJs and producers who participated in the camp included Tapiwa, Noluntu J, Kim Makumbe, Paintafresco and Verseless. UK-based spoken word artist Binta Yade and producer Daviaa also took part, contributing to the programme’s international exchange.

Reflecting on the experience, Noluntu J said, “The camp was highly informative and allowed me to learn a few things. It was a game changer for me and very exciting. I got to learn more about Mavin Records and how they promote their artists, content creation and how to stay relevant online. Working with Mavin Records has been a door opener, and I’m super excited to see what I can do with the Nigerian industry.”

Creative Economy Week 2026, hosted by The British Council and The Swiss Development Agency for Cooperation, convened artists, creatives, policymakers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs in a series of curated events under the theme Inclusive Growth Through Collaboration.

The objective was to cultivate knowledge and skills amongst participants and boost the youth’s capacity to build and sustain businesses that are economically viable.

“Creative Economy Week is where we shift from celebrating talent to strengthening the systems that help creative practitioners earn and scale,” said Lloyd Anderson, Country Director, British Council Zimbabwe.

“Through our partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland, we’re backing practical pathways, skills, networks and market connections that support sustainable growth in the creative industries.”

Creative and cultural sector partners from Nigeria, India and the United Kingdom joined their Zimbabwe counterparts to deliver roundtables, workshops and artistic masterclasses to enable cross-border knowledge exchange across the wider creative economy.