Afreximbank acquires stake in D’banj’s CREAM platform

The AI-powered creative platform has attracted more than seven million subscribers since its launch in 2016.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its investment vehicle, CANEX Creations Incorporated, has acquired an equity stake in CREAM, an artificial intelligence-powered platform founded by Nigerian singer D’banj to connect creatives with fans and reward superfan engagement.

The investment follows a term sheet signed in Abuja in June 2025 and was formalised at a signing ceremony on 6 November 2026 during the CANEX WKND 2026 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly the National Theatre, in Lagos.

Afreximbank established CANEX Creations to invest in, develop, and commercialise African intellectual property while supporting the growth of the continent’s creative industries.

The investment aligns with the bank’s efforts to strengthen the financial and market infrastructure needed to commercialise African creative content at scale. Afreximbank has committed about $2 billion to Africa’s creative and cultural industries, with equity investments making up an increasing share of its support.

The 2026 edition of CANEX WKND attracted a record 17,000 registered participants, with Afreximbank targeting at least $1 billion in capital commitments for Africa’s creative sector.

CREAM was launched in 2016 in partnership with MTN Nigeria and the Bank of Industry. Since then, it has attracted more than seven million subscribers through its USSD code, *463#, website and mobile application.

The platform has monetised more than 3,000 pieces of music, comedy, dance and art, generating revenue through telecommunications billing, caller ringback tunes, content distribution and direct sales.

It has also provided grants, free studio sessions, music videos and showcase opportunities to 16,668 creatives.

Speaking on the investment, D’banj said the deal would provide African creatives with greater access to financial opportunities while helping them retain ownership of their intellectual property.

“As I have always said, content is the new crude. This is beyond a deal signing. It is history being made: Africa’s creativity becomes Africa’s capital. African creatives now have access to the financial infrastructure to compete globally, while owning and retaining our IP in Africa,” he said.

At the event, CREAM also unveiled its Full Content Download (FCD) service, which lets users purchase music, videos, and other creative content outright through its USSD platform or website, creamplatform.com.

The service is designed to give artists an additional revenue stream outside conventional streaming platforms while enabling fans to purchase and own content directly.

Through a partnership with Los Angeles-based Cinq Music Group, FCD will also make international music available to Nigerian consumers, beginning with T.I.’s “Live Your Life”, featuring Rihanna.

The partnership will also see Cinq Music Group sign and develop 10 artists identified through CREAM’s talent discovery platform.

Osahon Akpata, Chief Executive Officer of CANEX Creations Incorporated, a subsidiary of Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa, said the investment was aimed at unlocking greater commercial value from African creativity.

“CANEX Creations exists to turn Africa’s creativity into lasting economic value. C.R.E.A.M has demonstrated early traction in talent discovery and content monetisation. We expect our investment to accelerate its growth, connect more African talent with audiences and unlock greater commercial value from African creativity,” he said.