By Efe Onodjae

Chocolate City Group has hosted the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Her Excellency Anna Westerholm, in Lagos, as part of efforts to deepen creative, cultural and digital collaborations between Sweden and Nigeria.

The ambassador paid the visit to the company’s headquarters on Friday, January 9, 2026, accompanied by members of her delegation, including Fredrik Åhsberg, Jasmine Osueke, Johanna Beckman and Georg Herlitz.

She was received by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City Group, Mr. Abuchi Peter Ugwu; Executive Vice President of Chocolate City Music, Ms. Aibee Abidoye, alongside other members of the management team.

Discussions at the meeting focused on the evolving global music and entertainment ecosystem, talent development, digital optimisation and opportunities for stronger Nordic–African creative exchanges.
Both parties examined Nigeria’s fast-growing music and entertainment industry and Sweden’s long-standing reputation as a global centre for music innovation and hitmaking, identifying significant opportunities for collaboration across digital platforms, live events, touring infrastructure and creative development.

There was a shared interest in expanding access to music education and talent development through cross-cultural partnerships, with emphasis on connecting African artists, producers and songwriters to creative communities in Sweden, while strengthening digital infrastructure and revenue optimisation across platforms.

The meeting also highlighted the natural synergy between Nigerian and European markets, particularly in the areas of live performances, touring opportunities and sustainable creative partnerships that can unlock value for artists and creators on both sides.

The proposed collaborations are expected to complement Chocolate City’s expanding ecosystem, including plans for a new creative hub in Jos and the launch of its Founders Fund later in the year, aimed at supporting emerging talent and creative entrepreneurship across Nigeria.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Westerholm said Sweden was keen on collaborating with Africa’s vibrant creative industries, noting that such engagements encourage knowledge exchange, sustainable partnerships and shared growth for creators in both regions.

Also speaking, Mr. Abidoye described the discussions as promising, saying Sweden’s global standing in pop music and hit production presents strong potential for impactful collaborations that could also enhance local creative infrastructure in Nigeria.

The visit ended with a commitment by both parties to further explore collaborative initiatives focused on digital innovation, touring synergies and talent development across the music ecosystem.