At the UBA SME Series, rapper M.I Abaga highlighted AI as a game-changer for African creators to scale globally and build businesses.
Acclaimed Nigerian hip-hop icon and entertainment entrepreneur Jude “M.I” Abaga has urged African creative professionals to embrace artificial intelligence as a powerful catalyst for growth rather than viewing it as a threat to human ingenuity. Speaking during an insightful panel discussion on technology and enterprise development, the veteran musician highlighted how emerging digital tools, automation, and AI-driven platforms are leveling the playing field for young creators across the continent. His encouraging remarks reinforced a growing consensus among business leaders that Africa’s burgeoning creative industry, alongside financial technology and small-scale entrepreneurship, represents one of the region’s most promising economic frontiers.
The forward-looking conversation took place at the corporate headquarters of United Bank for Africa in Marina, Lagos, during the bank’s flagship quarterly SME Business Series. Held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, the high-profile gathering assembled an influential mix of tech founders, venture capitalists, corporate executives, and creative industry leaders under the central theme of building solutions tailored to local realities by transforming customer feedback into actionable technology. Broadcast live to thousands of virtual participants across global digital channels, the event provided a practical roadmap for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to scale sustainable operations within dynamic African markets.
The primary motivation behind Abaga’s passionate call to action stems from the rapid evolution of global digital media, where technical efficiency often dictates commercial success. Abaga emphasized that technology has always been an intrinsic element of artistic creation, explaining that modern artificial intelligence tools enable musicians, filmmakers, visual designers, and content producers to drastically reduce routine administrative work, streamline production workflows, and focus more on core storytelling. Abaga argued that instead of fearing job displacement, African creators must leverage these platforms to establish direct relationships with international audiences, protect their intellectual property, and build scalable global enterprises.
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Beyond the creative sector, the broader panel discussion focused on how African startups across various industries can unlock sustainable growth by listening closely to real-time consumer data. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of food delivery platform Chowdeck, Femi Aluko, shared how analyzing consumer purchasing habits directly inspired new commercial services, demonstrating that listening to customer needs provides the clearest blueprint for product innovation. Echoing this perspective, venture capitalist Ashim Egunjobi noted that investors prioritize resilient, adaptable founders who solve genuine daily problems over polished pitch presentations. Reports further noted that financial inclusion, small business support, and digital infrastructure remain critical sectors poised to produce Africa’s next billion-dollar companies.
The event highlighted United Bank for Africa’s broader institutional commitment to nurturing African enterprise through strategic education and digital banking solutions. Head of Digital Banking Olukayode Olubiyi reaffirmed that the institution relies on data and consumer insight to design financial products that support local business growth. As highlighted by Leadership News, fostering collaboration between tech innovators, creative entrepreneurs, and financial institutions remains essential for transforming regional challenges into long-term economic prosperity.
