ACCES 2026 Johannesburg: Conference Dates, Speakers and Events
ACCES 2026: Johannesburg to Host African Music Industry Conference and Showcases
African music professionals will gather in Johannesburg later this month for ACCES 2026, the Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases. Running from October 28–31, the event combines a two-day conference with exhibitions, workshops, networking and live performances across the city.
The conference sessions are scheduled for October 29 and 30 at The Forum, The Campus, in Bryanston. Meanwhile, the event’s Industry Nights will bring live music and networking to several Johannesburg venues.
For artists, managers, labels, promoters, distributors and other music-business professionals, ACCES is designed to create space for conversations and connections that can help strengthen the music sector across Africa and beyond.
What is ACCES?
ACCES is a pan-African music-industry trade event produced by the Music In Africa Foundation. It brings together people working across music creation, business, performance and industry services to exchange knowledge and develop professional connections.
The 2026 program is expected to include more than 1,000 delegates and industry experts from over 45 countries, according to the event’s official website. The program spans conference discussions, exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses, networking and live showcases.
This mix is important because the music industry involves far more than recording and performing. Artists also need distribution, rights management, promotion, booking, live-event infrastructure and business relationships that can help their work reach audiences in different markets.
What will the discussion at ACCES 2026 be about?
The published program highlights several themes relevant to the future of African music.
Building careers across international markets
The conference will explore how music professionals can develop careers and business relationships beyond their home markets. For artists and teams interested in cross-border opportunities, these conversations can help clarify the people, services and partnerships involved in taking music to new audiences.
Strengthening the live music economy
Live performance creates work for artists, promoters, venues, production crews, agents and many other professionals. Discussions around a more connected live music economy are relevant to how shows are organized, how audiences are reached and how industry participants work across borders.
Canada–Africa music industry connections
The program also includes discussions on links between the Canadian and African music industries. Such exchanges can introduce professionals to different market structures, potential collaborators and approaches to building international relationships.
Artistic ownership and legacy
Rights, ownership and long-term value remain important issues for artists and their teams. Discussions on artistic ownership and legacy can help bring attention to the decisions that shape how music is controlled, credited and managed over time.
Who is expected to participate?
The announced speakers and industry contributors include professionals from music rights organizations, distribution, live music, publishing, cultural institutions and international music businesses.
Names listed by the organizers include Robert Singerman of LyricFind, Anne-Karine Tremblay of MusicAction in Canada, Jenny Tan of Toorly, Laurent Corthay of the World Bank in Mozambique, South African artist Sun-El Musician, and Kethrine MacVicker of Music Works International, among others.
The program also includes African music-business voices such as Bellio Ibtahim Olaoluwa of Rhymx Distro in Nigeria, alongside representatives from music rights and publishing organizations and cultural institutions across the continent.
Attendees should consult the official program for the latest speaker list and session schedule, as event details may change.
ACCES Industry Nights: live music across Johannesburg
Alongside the conference, ACCES 2026 will feature an expanded showcase program under the banner ACCES Industry Nights.
Performances are scheduled at venues including The Artistry, Untitled Basement, The Forge and Jozi Gold between October 28 and 31. The announced line-up includes artists from several African countries and the diaspora, with Sun-El Musician set to headline the showcase festival on Friday, October 30.
For artists, live showcases can offer a chance to perform in front of new audiences and industry professionals. For attendees, they provide an opportunity to discover music and build connections in a live setting.
The organizers distinguish between conference attendance and the evening events: the two-day conference pass is free, while Industry Nights require separate tickets.
How can you attend ACCES 2026?
The event will take place in Johannesburg from October 28–31, 2026.
Conference: October 29–30 at The Forum, The Campus, Bryanston.
Industry Nights: October 28–31 at venues across Johannesburg.
Conference pass: The official website states that a free two-day conference pass is available.
Industry Nights: You will require separate tickets for the relevant nights.
The organizers advise delegates to arrange their own travel and accommodation unless there is an agreement for other arrangements. International attendees should review the official travel information and allow enough time for any visa arrangements.
How can music professionals get more out of the conference?
Attending an industry event is most useful when the networking has a purpose. Before travelling to Johannesburg, participants can:
Prepare a concise introduction explaining their role and current work.
Identify the sessions most relevant to their career or business.
Bring an up-to-date artist profile, catalogue, company deck or portfolio where appropriate.
Set realistic networking goals, such as meeting distributors, promoters, rights specialists or potential collaborators.
Follow up with new contacts after the event with a specific reason to continue the conversation.
Artists should also remember that a showcase is not a guarantee of a deal. The value often lies in the combination of preparation, performance, professional relationships and follow-up.
Why ACCES matters to the African music industry
African music continues to travel across borders, but international reach depends on more than audience interest. It also relies on professional infrastructure, rights knowledge, distribution, live-event opportunities and business relationships.
ACCES brings many of these conversations into one program. Whether participants attend to learn, meet potential partners, explore new markets or discover artists, the event offers a focused space to engage with the business behind the music.
For professionals heading to Johannesburg this October, the opportunity is not simply to attend another conference. It is to leave with stronger knowledge, useful contacts and clearer next steps for their work in the African music industry.
