Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu in Tshwane, South Africa
CREATIVE and cultural practitioners (CCIs) in the music industry have converged in Tshwane with the city hosting the 2025 Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES), which begins on Thursday and will end on Saturday.
It is being held across three venues, the Aula Theatre (conference programme) nestled at the University of Pretoria, as well as Propaganda and O12 Central (Showcase Festival).
The continent’s leading music trade event is Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF)’s brainchild and is being held in Tshwane for the first time, and promises three unforgettable days of high-level discussions, live performances, and international networking.
A Zimbabwean creative contingent is also here, staking a claim in the programme with Zimbabwe Musicians Union (Zimu) President, Edith “WeUtonga” Katiji, and Usher Nyambi set to be panellists in some of the discussions. They are joined by fellow countrymen, including but not limited to Ashley Mupfawa, who is the Zimpapers Broadcasting Co-ordinator digital, Earground’s Plot Mhako, Kevin “Kever Six” Dozwa, Kay Media Africa’s Keith Kuhudzani, Michelle “StarMichy” Banda, Shoko Festival Co-ordinator, Vera Chisvo, Marcus Gora, and Tendai Joe.
From multi-Grammy Award-winning US record producer Commissioner Gordon Williams, renowned for his work with Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Alicia Keys, to Kwame Safo of the British Council in the UK, ACCES 2025 promises an impressive lineup brimming with global musical star power.
Other notable names include Bizzle Osikoya (The Plug, Nigeria); Dolapo Amusat (WeTalkSound, Nigeria); Kikelomo Oludemi (Oroko Radio, UK/Nigeria); Cécilia Pietrzko (Grown Kid, France); Laurent Corthay (World Bank, Mozambique); and Jiggs Thorne (MTN Bushfire, Eswatini) – alongside dozens of African musicians, journalists and cultural entrepreneurs.
Some of the key themes on the programme include improving access to finance, developing festivals and export platforms, strengthening musicians’ protection, promotion and copyright, and exploring the impact of new innovations such as artificial intelligence.
This year’s Showcase Festival will present more than 80 African musicians on 30 October and 1 November. Top acts on the line-up include Focalistic (South Africa), Mörda (South Africa), Zoë Modiga (South Africa), Claudio Rabe (Réunion Island), Kekelingo (South Africa), Boukuru (Rwanda), Jabulile Majola (South Africa), Mwendamberi (Zimbabwe), Mpho Sebina (Botswana), Bokani Dyer (South Africa), Njoki Karu (Kenya), FIMFIM (Ghana), Thakzin (South Africa), Naledi Aphiwe (South Africa), Frida Amani (Tanzania), Oumy (Senegal), Shandesh (South Africa), Tobi Peter (Nigeria) and Charles Gene Suite (South Africa).
“ACCES has become the meeting point for the world’s music industry and Africa’s creative heartbeat. With Tshwane as our host city this year, we are creating a space where African voices can influence the global conversation, and where new opportunities for collaboration, trade and investment will be born,” said Eddie Hatitye, executive director of the MIAF.
ACCES is a pan-African trade show for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent, and create business linkages. Held in a different African city each year, ACCES attracts active music industry players from across the globe. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
