By Carlos Passage
Nigeria may not be on everyone’s radar yet, but it should be. With a projected population of over 375 million by 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous nation in the world. This means a huge domestic market, a young workforce, and growing global influence.
Its thriving financial and technology sector is already making waves across Africa, while its entertainment industry—Nollywood—is the second largest in the world by volume. In terms of resources, Nigeria boasts oil, minerals, agriculture, and a growing digital economy.
For those exploring high-growth emerging markets, Nigeria can offer long-term opportunities in education, technology, and real estate development.
THE BIRTHHOUSE OF AFROBEAT AND AFROBEATS
While Nigerian Fela Kuti’s work in the 1970s is considered the foundation of Afrobeat (a fusion of elements of Yoruba music, funk, and jazz), the genre has evolved over time. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nigerian artists began incorporating elements of hip-hop and pop into their music, giving rise to what we now know as Afrobeats.
Yoruba Music
Yoruba music is the musical style practiced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. Yoruba folk music became perhaps the most prominent musical genre in West Africa, and within Afro-Latin and Caribbean musical styles, it has influenced the practice of Santería and the music of Cuba.
FELA KUTI, CREATOR OF AFROBEAT
AFROBEATS’ BIGGEST BILLBOARD HIT
“Calm Down”
Rema (Nigeria, 25) and Selena Gomez (Texas, 33)
AFROBEATS’ FUTURE HITS
“Balance”
Qritiqal (Kenya) & Jossman (Colombia)
“I Wanna Know”
Qritiqal (Kenya) feat. Lil Keren (Colombia)
AFROBEATS/SALSA
“Love is Healing”
Marino Luis (Colombia) Feat Qritiqal (Kenya)
