By Efe Onodjae

Top executives of Chocolate City Group on Thursday outlined an ambitious roadmap for the future of African music and the broader creative sector during a fireside session at the ongoing Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) 2025 in Lagos.

Speaking at the session tagged “Blueprint of a Powerhouse: Lessons in Building an African Music Empire,” the company’s leadership, Audu Maikori, Paul Okeugo, Abuchi Peter Ugwu, Aibee Abidoye, and Ifeyinwa Anyadiegwu, dissected the structural gaps in the industry and shared strategies required to scale African entertainment to global competitiveness.

Ugwu, Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City Group, stressed the need for deliberate artist development, noting that longevity in the industry goes beyond viral hits.

“HITS are great, but longevity requires structure,” he said. “Artists must stand for something. Branding, vocal training, songwriting and production quality remain critical in building careers that last.”

The panel also underscored the importance of rights management, publishing, sync licensing and revenue diversification, warning that many emerging artists still lack understanding of the financial backbone that sustains global music empires. With African music gaining unprecedented global visibility, the executives said the next phase of growth will depend on strategic thinking, data-driven operations and innovative market expansion.

Looking ahead, the company announced heavy investments in technology, AI and digital systems to strengthen talent discovery, marketing and internal operations.

Ugwu disclosed that Chocolate City is venturing deeper into film, taking over existing facilities and rebuilding infrastructure, including a film school expected to broaden professional training for creatives. A world-class sound post-production facility, set to open in Q1 2026, will address persistent technical gaps in Nollywood.

In a major reveal, Executive Chairman Audu Maikori announced that the Chocolate City Founders Fund will debut next year to support emerging entrepreneurs across music, fashion, design and entertainment. The initiative will provide training, mentorship and access to funding for young creatives.

The panelists concluded that Africa’s creative economy remains at its early growth stage, but with proper structure, financing and technology, the continent is poised for explosive expansion in the coming decade.