The South African city of Tshwane will play host to some of the biggest names in global music, as the 2025 edition of the Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES 2025) takes place from 30 October to 1 November.
For the first time in its history, Africa’s leading music trade event will be staged in Tshwane, attracting over 1,000 delegates and experts from more than 45 countries.
The three-day gathering will feature high-level discussions, live performances and international networking opportunities.
Global and African leaders under one roof
Among the industry heavyweights set to attend is multi-Grammy Award-winning US producer Commissioner Gordon Williams, who has worked with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse.
He will be joined by Nigerian music entrepreneur Bizzle Osikoya, cultural strategist Dolapo Amusat, broadcaster Kikelomo Oludemi, French music executive Cécilia Pietrzko, and festival director Jiggs Thorne from Eswatini’s MTN Bushfire.
Discussions will focus on some of the most pressing issues in the music business, including financing, artist protection, festival development, copyright, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on creativity.
A showcase of African talent at ACCES 2025
Alongside the conference, ACCES 2025 will host a two-day Showcase Festival featuring more than 80 artists from across the continent.
The line-up includes South African stars Focalistic, Zoë Modiga, Mörda and Kekelingo, alongside regional acts such as Rwanda’s Boukuru, Zimbabwe’s Mwendamberi, Botswana’s Mpho Sebina, Ghana’s FimFim and Tanzania’s Frida Amani.
The festival aims to provide a platform for emerging and established musicians to reach international audiences, while also offering workshops, masterclasses and mentorship programmes to support local talent.
“Africa’s creative heartbeat”
Eddie Hatitye, Executive Director of the Music In Africa Foundation, said Tshwane’s hosting of the event would amplify the continent’s influence on the global stage.
“ACCES has become the meeting point for the world’s music industry and Africa’s creative heartbeat,” he said. “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.”
About ACCES
ACCES is a pan-African trade show designed to connect music industry players, discover new talent and foster cross-border business opportunities.
Each year the event is hosted in a different African city, with the 2025 edition being organised by the Music In Africa Foundation in partnership with the City of Tshwane, the South African National Conventions Bureau and the SAMPRA Development Fund.
With its mix of thought leadership, live showcases and cross-cultural networking, ACCES 2025 is set to cement its role as a vital hub for shaping the future of African and global music.
