Cobhams Asuquo and The Salako to headline Abuja Afrojazz Festival's fourth edition

The Abuja International Afrojazz Festival returns for a fourth edition from 18 to 21 November 2026, with award-winning singer and producer Cobhams Asuquo and festival founder The Salako leading the grand finale. According to Vanguard, which reported the line-up, the new addition this year is a Professional Music Market intended to connect Nigerian music professionals with international industry figures.

What the market will involve

The market takes place on 19 and 20 November in Jabi, Abuja. About 20 international professionals from 10 countries are expected, among them festival directors, promoters, booking agents, journalists, intellectual-property experts, artists and managers. Vanguard reports that it is supported by Institut français Nigeria, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS.

The programme combines keynote presentations, panel discussions, industry clinics, business-to-business meetings and one-on-one sessions between Nigerian artists and the visiting professionals. The stated aims are to open routes to partnerships, international bookings, touring and co-productions.

The first day, titled CONNECT, deals with African and global music ecosystems, intellectual property, monetisation and the effect of digital technology on the business. The second, CREATE & DEVELOP, turns to the European music ecosystem and to sessions on building professional partnerships.

The report describes plans rather than results. It does not say what bookings or partnerships, if any, have been agreed, so whether the market delivers lasting access for Nigerian artists will only become clear after the event.

Showcases, residency and finale

Showcase performances are scheduled for The Nordic Abuja on 19 and 20 November. Seven acts were chosen from 75 applications submitted from 26 countries, and four of the seven are Nigerian.

A four-day residency brings together Togolese musician Papyrus, Beninese artist Pepe Oleka and Abuja-based Pearl Rocker, who will write new material together for the closing concert.

That concert is on Saturday 21 November at BALI City Park, Wuse 2. Asuquo will appear with his band, alongside The Salako, Jessica Bongos, Chile-born Gustavo Cerqueiras, Greece-based Adedeji and the residency participants.

The organisers' case

The Salako, who is also festival director, said the event was widening its scope beyond live performance to help Nigerian musicians reach international markets.

"Abuja is Nigeria's diplomatic capital, and we believe it should also be a meeting point for African and global music."

He added: "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."

The festival was founded in 2021 and combines music, cultural diplomacy and creative-industry development. Its 2025 edition drew more than 1,000 guests, including ambassadors from Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Egypt. The 2026 organisers say they will emphasise sustainability and inclusion through online ticketing and stronger representation of women among performers, speakers and industry professionals. The festival is organised by Afrojazz Festival Nigeria Limited.

This report draws on reporting by vanguardngr.com.