The Abuja International Afrojazz Festival will expand opportunities for Nigerian musicians to access international markets by introducing a Professional Music Market at its fourth edition, scheduled for November 18 to 21, 2026. BuyMaps
The initiative will bring Nigerian music professionals face-to-face with international festival directors, promoters, booking agents, journalists, intellectual-property experts, artists and managers to explore partnerships, touring opportunities and cross-border collaborations.
Scheduled for November 19 and 20 in Jabi, Abuja, the Professional Music Market will host about 20 international industry professionals from 10 countries.
Supported by the Institut français Nigeria, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, and ECOWAS, the programme will give Nigerian artists and industry stakeholders a platform to build international connections and explore opportunities for bookings, co-productions, and career development.
The two-day programme will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, industry clinics, business-to-business meetings and one-on-one sessions between Nigerian artists and visiting professionals.
The first day, themed *CONNECT*, will focus on African and global music ecosystems, intellectual property, monetisation and the impact of digital technology on the music business. The second day, themed *CREATE & DEVELOP*, will examine the European music ecosystem and explore ways to foster professional partnerships.
As part of the festival, the Nordic Abuja will host showcase performances on November 19 and 20. The festival selected seven acts from 75 applications submitted across 26 countries, including four Nigerian performers and artists from the United Kingdom, Benin Republic and Austria.
The festival will also feature a four-day artist residency involving Togolese musician Papyrus, Beninese artist Pepe Oleka and Abuja-based Pearl Rocker. The trio will collaborate on new material for the closing concert.
The grand finale will take place on Saturday, November 21, at BALI City Park, Wuse 2, featuring award-winning singer and producer Cobhams Asuquo and his band, alongside festival founder The Salako, Jessica Bongos, Chile-born Gustavo Cerqueiras, Greece-based Adedeji, and the residency participants.
Speaking ahead of the event, The Salako, founder and festival director, said the festival was expanding its focus beyond live performances to create pathways for Nigerian musicians to reach international audiences and markets. BuyMaps
“Abuja is Nigeria’s diplomatic capital, and we believe it should also be a meeting point for African and global music,” he said.
“This year we are not only putting great artists on stage. We are bringing the people who book festivals, run labels and build careers into the same room as our artists.”
Founded in 2021, the festival has evolved into a platform that combines music, cultural diplomacy, and creative-industry development. Its 2025 edition attracted more than 1,000 guests and welcomed diplomats, including ambassadors from Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Egypt.
The organisers said the 2026 edition would also prioritise sustainability and inclusion through online ticketing and stronger representation of women among performers, speakers and industry professionals.
Organised by Afrojazz Festival Nigeria Limited, the Abuja International Afrojazz Festival aims to strengthen connections between African musicians and international music markets, while expanding access to touring networks and professional opportunities beyond Nigeria.
