Mr Eazi’s Choplife expands into Nigeria’s Itana Digital Zone

Choplife, a multi-sector African venture founded by Nigerian musician and entrepreneur Oluwatosin “Mr Eazi” Ajibade, has expanded into Nigeria’s Itana Digital Special Economic Zone, strengthening its base for entertainment, media, gaming, technology and intellectual property businesses.

The move places Choplife inside Itana, which describes itself as Africa’s first digital special economic zone, as Mr Eazi seeks a more centralized structure for a business operating across several African markets.

Mr Eazi said Choplife began as a music business through Empawa Africa in 2021 before expanding into events, gaming, sports and other areas of entertainment. “We are not just creating tech IP. We’re creating digital gaming technology, media and in real life, very important in real life, IP,” he said.

Why Choplife chose Itana

Mr Eazi said establishing Choplife within Itana is aimed at reducing the administrative and operational challenges of running a Pan-African company from multiple jurisdictions. 

Victor Famubode, Itana’s business and compliance director, said Choplife reflects the type of company the digital zone wants to attract: businesses that can build in Nigeria while serving international markets.

“Thinking about how to build locally and also think globally,” Famubode said. He said the creative economy is becoming increasingly important to Itana as African music, entertainment, culture and intellectual property gain international audiences.

Itana is licensed by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and provides digital businesses with a platform to incorporate and operate remotely in Nigeria. Companies entering the zone must meet incorporation and regulatory requirements, including a minimum share capital of $100,000.

From music to a Pan-African business

Choplife takes its name from the West African pidgin expression “chop life,” meaning to enjoy life. The venture spans entertainment, media, technology, gaming and sports, with operations and investments across African markets. Its businesses include sports betting and online entertainment platforms in countries such as Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire.

Mr Eazi, whose real name is Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, has built a business portfolio extending beyond his music career into technology, finance, music incubation and sports across nearly 20 African countries.

The expansion into Itana gives Choplife a Nigerian digital base as it continues building businesses around Africa’s growing creative economy, technology sector and consumer market.