Music Connects Africa

Music Connects Africa is an initiative of the British Council in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe, delivered locally by Kay Media Africa in collaboration with UK-based Reprezent Radio.

Launched in 2022, the programme has supported a new wave of music talent and enterprises across Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Tanzania by providing critical skills development, investment, and access to regional and international markets. Originally known as Scripts and Bars, the programme rebranded as Music Connects Africa to better reflect its mission of contributing to inclusive economic and social growth of young people and underrepresented communities through strengthening the cultural and creative industries ecosystem, with a particular focus on music. The first cohort of Scripts and Bars comprised 75 creatives from Zimbabwe and 25 from the UK, culminating in a concert and cocktail event in March at The Venue in Avondale, Harare.

The programme operates as a comprehensive music accelerator and incubator, targeting songwriters, performing artists, producers, DJs, and talent managers aged 18 and above who are actively working within the music sector. The 2025 cohort enrolled 50 participants, with 40% of them women, drawn from across Zimbabwe including Mutare, Chinhoyi, Marondera, Bulawayo, Zvishavane, Plumtree, Hwange, Victoria Falls and Harare. Participants took part in six masterclasses run by music industry experts from Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK, covering topics including branding, contracts, intellectual property, music distribution and marketing, social media, artist management, touring and brand partnerships, while also completing a five-module online course on creative enterprise designed to provide business and entrepreneurial skills. Seven live showcase events were held in Harare and Bulawayo, drawing a combined audience of more than 2,000, with sixteen musicians performing and 62% of them women, while 75% of the performers secured bookings directly from these showcases.

Since 2022, Music Connects Africa has supported more than 150 artists and professionals to monetize their work and build sustainable careers, creating 39 direct and over 100 indirect jobs. Through its previous iterations, the programme supported 100 emerging music and literature professionals across Zimbabwe, awarded 24 grants, and provided access to 15 showcase platforms, leading to the creation of 36 jobs to date. Key partners and collaborators have included Ditto Music Africa, Downtown Publishing, Honey & Blanckenberg, Star FM, Lemon Groove Brands, Sofarsounds Harare, Haus of Stone, and Magitare Trust. According to project delivery lead Keith Kuhudzai of Kay Media Africa, the programme has demonstrated the incredible potential of Zimbabwe's music creatives when given the right tools and opportunities, with seeds sown through capacity building, new music creation, and career development that will show clear impact over the next three to five years.

The programme extends beyond Zimbabwe to foster continental connections, exemplified by supporting Zimbabwean musician Mwendamberi to perform at the ACCES 2025 Showcase Festival in Tshwane, South Africa, sharing the stage with top African talents. Music Connects Africa will continue running annually until 2028 with new cohorts of participants each year, along with ongoing alumni support. The programme represents the British Council's broader commitment to using...