This article was produced with the support of Afreximbank
It is little wonder that the queen of Ivorian house music is taking the continent by storm. Deeply rooted in the heritage of the Baoulé people, Reine is at the forefront of a new musical movement – one that is proudly African, innovative, and increasingly global. Her culture and passion for African languages inspired her to create a distinct, innovative Afro-house musical style. Her shows are stunning, combining singing with dance.
This has brought her great acclaim. She scooped the Women of the Year Award at the Lili Women Festival in 2023. She was selected for MASA 2024, the Abidjan Arts and Entertainment Market, the biggest festival in Côte d’Ivoire; and for the First 100% Female Festival in 2021.
This was followed by several national appearances and a major collaboration with Dobet Gnahoré, the only Grammy-winning Ivorian artist. Through Dobet, she opened for FEMUA, the Anoumabo Urban Music Festival, one of the top festivals in Côte d’Ivoire.
Unshakable belief in her art
Reine’s journey, like that of many young creatives across the continent, began far from the spotlight, in her case in Abidjan. Armed with passion, a distinct Afro-house sound, and an unshakable belief in her art, she single-handedly navigated festivals and funded recordings.
Her breakthrough came with participation in the CANEX Music Factory, an initiative of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme. This has afforded her an opportunity to interact with other artistes and to learn how to professionalise her work, enhance her brand image and build visibility. She also got an opportunity to be mentored by legendary South African producer Oskido.
“We created the CANEX Music Factory to take artistes through Music 101; for them to understand how music is monetised and to understand the business of music,” explains Temwa Gondwe, director, creatives and diaspora (intra-African trade and export development) at Afreximbank.
Reine’s song Kontrola,created alongside Oskido, Ze2, and X-Wise, was part of the One Drum EP, a collaborative masterpiece that celebrates the rich musical heritage of Africa and its diaspora that was released in August 2024, featuring artists from Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, the USA, and Europe.
Reine was also one of the acts at the launch of the One Drum EP at the CANEX WKND 2024 held in Algiers. The four-day event brought together 4,000 creatives, industry leaders, and policymakers from across 81 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the diaspora.
Life-changing opportunity
“For me, the CANEX WKND was one of the most life-changing opportunities of my career, because it made me truly aware of my potential and the special nature of my art. CANEX is an environment that not only gives artists the opportunity to showcase their skills but also allows them to learn from others without limitation,” she recalls.
The CANEX Music Factory also provides infrastructure, training, mentorship, and visibility. Thus, it empowers the artistes while showcasing Africa’s rich musical heritage and plugging it into the global creative economy.
Today, with her rapidly growing brand, Reine no longer struggles for opportunities to participate in festivals such as MASA; and she has been featured on global news outlets such as CNN. Her musical projects include collaborations with notable international artists and producers that have opened doors to perform on big stages in Egypt and Nigeria. On Spotify she has a growing listener base, reflecting her increasing popularity in the Afro-house genre.
“I’d like to thank CANEX from the bottom of my heart for giving me one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had. Through Oskido, they saw and believed in my talent. Thank you for showing me that when you believe in it, you can achieve it. I’m a valuable product, and wherever I have the opportunity to go, I’ll always do my utmost to live up to your trust by delivering quality work,” Reine says.
A blueprint of a larger revolution
But Reine’s story is not just about her individual success. It is the blueprint of a larger revolution unfolding across Africa’s creative economy.
According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2025, sub-Saharan Africa’s music revenues surpassed $110m for the first time, growing by 22.6%.
This surge reflects growing global interest in African music, driven by internationally acclaimed performers like Tyla from South Africa and Burna Boy from Nigeria.
Afreximbank is working to remove obstacles faced by creatives in the continent, including limited financing, fragmented infrastructure, and lack of ownership over their work. Through CANEX it has committed more than $2bn to Africa’s creative and cultural industries.
Reine’s journey exemplifies the success of these efforts. Besides accessing more opportunities, she is now more motivated to believe in her potential. In her words, “Today, I walk with confidence. I’ve learned how to pitch my art, how to build a professional image, and how to reach audiences beyond borders.”
Global film industry awaits premiere of Dust to Dreams
Lagos is known for its pulsating Afrobeat, captivating Nollywood flicks and the famous suya scent. It is also from this city that the fusion of creative talents of Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu and British actor-director Idris Elba, alongside British-Nigerian music icon Seal, will be blessing the world with a new short film: Dust to Dreams.
Set in the vibrant city of Lagos, the film is set to premiere in major international film festivals. It explores a variety of themes including family, legacy, and the healing power of music. Its trailer attracted significant attention, got rave reviews in major media outlets and sustained buzz for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural authenticity. After it premieres, the film will be available on streaming platforms.
At its core, Dust to Dreams is the poignant story of Milli, a revered nightclub owner, who, facing the twilight of her life, entrusts her legacy to her reserved daughter, Bisola. The unexpected return of Bisola’s estranged soldier father stirs deep-seated family tensions. This is until, as the family grapples with these challenges, music emerges as a unifying force, culminating in a soulful duet that heals old wounds and revitalises the legendary nightclub.
The film’s star-studded cast harmoniously blends international and Nigerian talent. Seal steps into the role of the estranged father, infusing his musical gravitas into the character. Nse Ikpe-Etim embodies Milli with depth and nuance, while Constance Olatunde (known as Konstance) portrays Bisola, capturing the character’s vulnerability and strength. Nollywood actresses Eku Edewor and Atlanta Bridget Johnson, as Comfort and Patience respectively, enrich the narrative tapestry, portraying sisters navigating their paths amidst family upheaval.
Behind the scenes, Golden Globe winner Idris Elba dons the dual hats of writer and director, channelling his storytelling acumen to craft a narrative that is both intimate and universal. Mo Abudu, the visionary force behind EbonyLife Films, doubles up as executive producer and producer, ensuring the film’s authenticity and resonance. The production ensemble is further bolstered by supervising producer Heidi Uys and co-producers Temidayo Makanjuola, Inem King, and Vanessa Demme.
A testament to Nollywood
Beyond its artistic merits and showcasing the rich Nigerian culture, Dust to Dreams is a testament to the growing Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood. The involvement of numerous local crew members and artists in the production was a boon to Nigeria’s growing film economy. This was one of the highlights of what has been a good year for Nollywood, delivering a significant surge that captured 50.05% of box office revenue during the first half of 2024. The industry’s growth is not just in numbers but also in the quality and diversity of stories being told.
Dust to Dreams, which contributes to the growth of Africa’s creative economy, is a product of the partnership between EbonyLife Films and the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to harness the continent’s rich talent. CANEX aims to spotlight African stories and talent, providing access to financing, capacity building, trade and export promotion, digital solutions, and policy advocacy. Afreximbank has pledged to increase funding to the CANEX programme from $1bn to $2bn over the next three years, underscoring its dedication to Africa’s growing creative economy. There is also the recently launched $1bn Africa Film Fund through Afreximbank’s Fund for Export-Development in Africa (FEDA) to support film production and distribution across the continent and empower filmmakers to create globally appealing content.
In many ways, Dust to Dreams is more than a film. It is an indication of what is to come for the rapidly growing cultural and creative industries. It represents a significant moment in African cinema, highlighting the power of cross-cultural partnerships in delivering African narratives to a global audience. As the world becomes more globalised and interconnected, African stories like these serve as bridges, fostering understanding and appreciation across cultures. In the words of Mo Abudu, “Our stories are our legacy.” With Dust to Dreams, that legacy is being etched into the annals of global cinema, one soulful note at a time.