Known across Africa and around the globe as an emblem for cultural exchange, knowledge sharing and arts development, MTN Bushfire will be bringing its unique perspective and expertise to a vital conversation on the future of Africa’s live music economy at this year’s edition of Africa’s leading music trade event, the Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES).
The 8th edition of this influential platform for collaboration, trade and investment opportunities within the creative ecosystem will be held from 30 October to 1 November, 2025 in South Africa’s City of Tshwane.
Representing MTN Bushfire will be the festival’s Co-Founding Director, Jiggs Thorne, who joins a panel of arts industry professional for a discussion themed, “Beyond the Stage: Building Africa’s Live Music Economy”.
This is an outcome of the festival’s longstanding partnership with the organisers of ACCES, Music In Africa.
ACCES is an inclusive event that welcomes a diverse range of attendees, from Grammy Award-winning producers and label executives to Africa’s emerging talents and fans of the arts, for three vibrant days of live music showcases, networking, masterclasses, conferences, exhibitions and workshops.
The event promises to be a memorable and enriching gathering which offers the opportunity to connect and engage with dozens of top music executives from across the globe, including seven-time Grammy Award-winning producer, Commissioner Gordon Williams.
This year’s highly-anticipated ACCES Showcase Festival programme will feature live performances from over 20 African acts including Focalistic (South Africa), Claudio Rabe (Réunion Island), Zoë Modiga (South Africa), Mpho Sebina (Botswana), Frida Amani (Tanzania), Mörda (South Africa), FimFim (Ghana), Bokani Dyer (South Africa), Njoki Karu (Kenya), Naledi Aphiwe (South Africa), Thakzin (South Africa) and Tobi Peter (Nigeria), amongst many others.
Free registration for the ACCES conferences is available through this form. Tickets to day 1 and day 2 of the live music showcases are also available for purchase, so hurry and secure yours now!
For the full ACCES 2025 programme, visit https://www.musicinafrica.net/acces
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Over 1 000 delegates and leading experts from more than 45 countries will gather in Tshwane to shape the future of African and global music.
- From Grammy winners to African trailblazers, ACCES 2025 presents unique networking opportunities for music industry stakeholders.
- More than 80 musicians from across the continent will perform at a two-day showcase festival in the heart of Tshwane.
- Numerous capacity-building opportunities for local talent, including masterclasses, workshops and mentorship.
MOVERS & SHAKERS AT ACCES 2025
Among the experts are multi-Grammy Award-winning US record producer Commissioner Gordon Williams, best known for his work with Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys; Bizzle Osikoya (The Plug, Nigeria); Dolapo Amusat (WeTalkSound, Nigeria); Kikelomo Oludemi (Oroko Radio, UK/Nigeria); Cécilia Pietrzko (Grown Kid, France); Laurent Corthay (World Bank, Mozambique); Kwame Safo (British Council, UK); and Jiggs Thorne (MTN Bushfire, Eswatini) – alongside dozens of African artists, journalists and cultural entrepreneurs.
Some of the key themes on the 2025 programme include improving access to finance, developing festivals and export platforms, strengthening artist protection, promotion and copyright, and exploring the impact of new innovations such as artificial intelligence.
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.
