ACCES announces conference programme with stellar line-up

ACCES 2023 is taking place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 9 to 11 November after it held a successful edition in the same city last year.

The programme features more than 40 top speakers from Africa and around the world who will address key aspects of the local and global music industries, and in the process amplify knowledge and opportunities for players in the African music industry.

The music conference – which also includes live music showcases by artist from across Africa, capacity-building workshops, exhibitions, networking and visits to music industry hubs in the Tanzanian city – is free for Africans to attend. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis via the official website. 

Programme highlights include a keynote interview with South African musician and entrepreneur Sho Madjozi and Voice of America’s Heather Maxwell as well as a keynote by Tanzanian bongo flava artist and producer Marioo.

ACCES will also host in-depth discussions about music rights management, music entrepreneurship, music publishing, branding, touring, collaborations and tech in the music industry.

Notable speakers include SymphonyOS founder Chuka Chase (US), Roxanne founder Sonia Boton-Gboh (France), SACEM international development officer for Africa Akotchayé Okio (France), Sony Music Publishing South Africa managing director Rowlin Naicker (South Africa), Singeli Festi founder Masudi Kandoro (Tanzania), SaveFi Tech founder Ebenezer Akachukwu (Nigeria), Vth Season co-founder Raphael Benza (South Africa), SlikourOnLife founder Siya Metane (South Africa), EMPIRE general manager of dance Moody Jones (US), The Orchard director of distribution Mpumi Phillips (South Africa) and Paragon Records founder Brian Scally (Ireland).

Apart from the music business and its intricacies, ACCES will zoom in on singeli, the upbeat Tanzanian electro sound that is taking the world by storm, by hosting a dedicated interactive panel discussion about the genre and featuring top singeli acts Balaa MC and Kadilida on the ACCES showcase programme.

Joining the two Tanzanians on the line-up are Sho Madjozi (South Africa), Marioo (Tanzania), Siti Muharam and The Unguja All Stars (Tanzania), Ngwaka Son Systéme (DRC), Nour Harkati (Tunisia), Zolani Mahola & The Feminine Force (South Africa), Alostmen (Ghana), Feli Nandi (Zimbabwe), Leo Mkanyia (Tanzania), Kasiva Mutua (Kenya), Madalitso Band (Malawi) and Damian Soul (Tanzania).

“We have curated an incredible conference programme for ACCES 2023,” Music In Africa Foundation executive director Eddie Hatitye said. “Conference attendees can expect an inclusive event where we will celebrate African music and the possibilities that exist for all who operate in the industry. We want everyone to leave this event with new ideas and a sense that anything is possible in a space that is growing in stature by the day. This is an ideal opportunity for musicians, music entrepreneurs, event organisers and just about anyone else working in African music to make new friends, hear about the latest trends in the music industry and take their work to the next level.”

ACCES returns to Dar es Salaam for a second consecutive year, based on ACCES’ new sustainability model to create more opportunities for local music professionals. This will allow participants to strengthen already existing partnerships and act as a strong catalyst for robust engagement. 

View the full conference programme here.

ACCES 2023 speakers

• Sho Madjozi – artist and entrepreneur (South Africa)
• Marioo – musician and producer (Tanzania)
• Percy Yip Tong – founder, Cyper Produktion (Mauritius)
• Abbas Jazza – managing director, Sisso Records (Tanzania)
• Jusnah Gadi – founder, Young Music Boss (UK)
• Moody Jones – general manager of dance, EMPIRE (US)
• Sonia Boton-Gboh – founder, Roxanne (France)
• Islam Elbeiti – artist (Sudan)
• Julz Ossom – president, African Music Week (Canada)
• Stani Goma – radio presenter (Australia)
• Victoria Nkong – associate producers, AFRIMAs (Nigeria)
• Mpumi Phillips – director of distribution, The Orchard (South Africa)
• Heather Maxwell – broadcaster and producer, Voice of America
• Mercy Barno – producer (Kenya)
• Kimberly Oxide – research and development manager, MOMIX (Mauritius)
• Antoine Mensah – broadcaster (Ghana)
• Ebenezer Akachukwu – founder, SaveFi Tech (Nigeria)
• Shiro Mwendwa – head of creative and licensing, Sheer Publishing Africa (South Africa)
• SnSe – producer (Kenya)
• Thando Makhunga – managing director, Sheer Publishing Africa (South Africa)
• Damian Soul – artist (Tanzania)
• Dulla Makabila – artist (Tanzania)
• Chuka Chase – founder SymphonyOS (US)
• Theresho Selesho – founder, SHO-SHO Communications (South Africa)
• Siya Metane – CEO, SlikourOnLife (South Africa)
• Fungai ‘Kush’ Zvirawa – executive director, Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zimbabwe)
• Masudi Kandoro – founder, Singeli Festi (Tanzania)
• Faith Hilary – brand specialist, Boomplay (Tanzania)
• Brian Scally – CEO, Paragon Music Group (Ireland)
• Shiba Melissa Mazaza – music journalist (South Africa) 
• Kalin Pashaliev – editor-in-chief, Music In Africa Foundation (South Africa)
• Marcus Gora – artist manager (Zimbabwe)
• Pete Buckenham – founder, Pete On The Corner (UK)
• Plot Mhako – founder, earGROUND (Zimbabwe)
• Maimouna Dembélé – chairperson, Music In Africa Foundation (Senegal) 
• Eddie Hatitye – executive director, Music In Africa Foundation (South Africa)
• Raphael Benza – artist manager (South Africa)
• Rowlin Naicker – managing director, Sony Music Publishing South Africa (South Africa)
• ​​​​Wandiri Karimi – co-founder, African Women’s Orchestra (Kenya)
• Mimah – singer (Tanzania)
• Coco Em – filmmaker, DJ (Kenya)
• Nicholas Calvin Mwakatobe – filmmaker and curator (Tanzania)

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African trade show for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a pan-African non-profit organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA) and Alliance Française.

Register for ACCES 2023 here.

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