Tiwa Savage launches music foundation to empower young African creatives

International Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has officially unveiled the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, an initiative aimed at providing structured professional training and opportunities to young African creatives across the music industry.

Announced on Wednesday via her verified Instagram account, the launch featured a photograph of Savage surrounded by musical instruments, symbolizing her commitment to fostering homegrown talent.

The foundation’s mission is to expand access to education and mentorship for producers, songwriters, sound engineers, managers, and other professionals behind the scenes, highlighting the broader ecosystem required for a sustainable music industry.

Speaking on the launch, Savage emphasised that the global rise of Afrobeats underscores the need to develop infrastructure beyond the performers themselves.

“An industry cannot thrive on artists alone,” she said, noting that long-term success depends on the coordinated efforts of producers, engineers, lawyers, publishers, and other innovators working within organised systems.

She warned that failure to invest in these critical roles could weaken Africa’s music industry in the long term, despite its current global popularity.

By creating a structured framework for professional development, the foundation aims to ensure that African creatives are equipped to compete on a global scale and sustain the industry’s growth over decades.

Savage’s personal journey has influenced the foundation’s direction. Having studied at Berklee College of Music in the mid-2000s, she gained insight into the role of education, business structure, and professional discipline in the global music industry.

She explained that exposure to international music systems helped her understand the value of organisation, ownership, and systematic learning experiences she hopes to replicate for young African creatives.

“Talent exists everywhere, but access does not,” she said.

The foundation would provide opportunities to aspiring creatives who might otherwise be unable to afford or access world-class training.

The programme would also incorporate emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, which are already reshaping music production, distribution, and marketing globally.

The foundation would focus on multiple areas, including music production, songwriting, engineering, legal and business aspects of the industry, and creative entrepreneurship.

By equipping young Africans with these skills, Savage intends to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, enabling local creatives to thrive without needing to relocate abroad.

Savage’s announcement signals a growing recognition of the importance of holistic creative development in Africa.

With structured mentorship, access to modern music technologies, and a focus on both artistic and business education, the foundation aims to nurture the next generation of African music professionals, ensuring that the continent not only produces star performers but also the teams that sustain and commercialise their work.

“This initiative is about investing in homegrown creativity and building sustainable opportunities,” Savage said, adding that African music’s global rise demands stronger support systems to keep pace with international standards.