Josplay’s Anuoluwapo Onasanya to speak at ACCES 2025 in Tshwane

Onasanya is scheduled to participate in a session titled Power to the Creators: Innovation-Driven Solutions for the Independent Music Economy on 30 October. She will join Larissa Fainberg, Sales Development Representative for Africa at Revelator (South Africa); Cécilia Pietrzko, Founder and CEO of Grown Kid (France); and Wendy Verwey Bekker, a South African music and media executive.

The panel will examine how independent music creators are reshaping the industry by blending technology with new business models. Discussions will focus on platforms and strategies designed to support artist autonomy, sustainable revenue streams, and effective rights management. The session will also highlight scalable technologies and industry innovations aimed at strengthening the position of creators across Africa and internationally.

“At ACCES 2025, Josplay is stepping into the conversation with one clear mission, to redefine how African music is valued and consumed,” Onasanya said. “Our session will cut through the noise, unpack the flaws of the current streaming model, and show why a fairer, Afrocentric alternative is not just possible but already here. Attendees can expect a candid conversation, grounded in data and experience, about how artists can take back control of their earnings and careers while giving audiences a deeper connection to African culture.”

Onasanya is a cultural strategist and serves as Director of Programmes and Librarian at the African Music Library, a Josplay initiative. She leads projects in music education, heritage preservation, and creator empowerment. She also works through Foster and other platforms to promote equity and innovation in Africa’s independent music ecosystem.

In addition to panel discussions, the event will feature a Showcase Festival with a diverse line-up of artists from across the continent, including  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).

Registration for the conference is free, while tickets for the Showcase Festival are available via the official ACCES website.

About ACCES

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. ACCES 2025 is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit pan-African organisation, in partnership with the City of Tshwane, the South African National Conventions Bureau, and the SAMPRA Development Fund. See all our sponsors and partners here.

About Josplay

Josplay is a premium music and literature streaming service dedicated to spotlighting African and Afro-Caribbean voices. Built for authenticity, Josplay empowers independent artists with fair royalties and global exposure while offering audiences a curated Afrocentric experience that blends culture, community, and storytelling.