The Abuja Afrojazz Festival has taken a significant leap on the global jazz scene following its landmark appearance at the prestigious Jazz à Vienne festival in France.
Representing Nigeria and West Africa, Tosin Salako, Co-Director of the Abuja festival, was part of an exclusive international delegation at the 2025 edition of the renowned French jazz gathering.
Salako’s participation was made possible through the support of the Institut Français du Nigeria and its headquarters in Paris. This builds on his earlier representation of Nigeria at Jazz Ahead in Germany in April. At Jazz à Vienne, he was one of only four African delegates, alongside counterparts from Asia, Australia, and South America an indication of Nigeria’s growing influence in global jazz conversations.
While in France, Salako participated in a key panel discussion on the state of jazz in Africa, with a special focus on Nigeria. He spoke passionately about the country’s rich but underrepresented jazz talent and emphasised the need for greater visibility, infrastructure, and international exchange to support the genre’s growth.
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A major highlight of the visit was the formation of a new regional alliance between the Abuja International Afrojazz Festival, the Couleurs Jazz Festival in Benin, and the Togoville Jazz Festival in Togo. The three festivals agreed to pool resources, collaborate on programming, and create touring circuits for artists across West Africa. This strategic partnership is designed to amplify the region’s voice within the global jazz network and create more sustainable platforms for African artists.
In addition to the panel and alliance-building, the Abuja team supported by the French Embassy and Institut Français held high-level meetings with French music industry stakeholders, including festival programmers, label executives, and promoters. One immediate outcome is the confirmed participation of a Paris-based Senegalese artist at the upcoming 2025 Abuja festival an early win for these international efforts.
Further engagements included meetings with the Luxembourg Art Council and the European Jazz Network, where discussions centred on future collaborations, artist residencies, and joint performances. These developments are expected to unlock new opportunities for Nigerian jazz musicians across Europe.
With the festival scheduled to return from 20 to 22 November 2025, organisers are preparing for its most ambitious edition yet. Audiences can anticipate a vibrant blend of live performances, cross-continental collaborations, and an exciting showcase of Afrojazz’s evolving sound.
The Abuja International Afrojazz Festival continues to be a driving force for Nigerian jazz fostering global connections while honouring the genre’s African roots and creative spirit.
