The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) invites African cities to submit bids to host ACCES, Africa’s leading music trade event in 2027 and 2028.
Submit the application by 15 November 2026. In the photo: Veteran South African singer at ACCES 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Held in a different African city each year, ACCES brings the global music industry to the continent. Recent editions have attracted more than 1,000 delegates from over 45 countries, including artists, executives, investors, policymakers, media, cultural organisations and professionals working across the music value chain.
The programme is adapted to each host market and generally includes a major industry conference, exhibitions, a showcase festival and Industry Nights, workshops and masterclasses, songwriting camps, investment and copyright forums, networking activities and partner-led side events.
Hosting ACCES gives a city an opportunity to showcase its music, culture and creative economy to an international audience. It can also generate significant activity for local venues, hotels, restaurants, transport providers, technical suppliers, tourism businesses, artists and other parts of the music ecosystem.
Based on expenditure patterns recorded during previous editions, an illustrative model involving 500 visiting delegates estimates approximately $1.28 million in direct expenditure in the host country. The event also creates longer-term opportunities through international business relationships, media exposure, music export, potential investment and over 300 jobs created in the host city per each edition.. Actual impact will depend on the host market, programme size and local conditions.
“ACCES is built through strong partnerships with its host markets,” MIAF Executive Director Eddie Hatitye said. “We want cities to show us how hosting ACCES can support their local music industries while creating a meaningful meeting point between Africa and the global music business. The bidding process allows us to evaluate those opportunities transparently and build editions that leave a lasting impact.”
Who may apply?
Bids may be submitted by officially registered African organisations with the authority and mandate to represent or coordinate a proposed host city. Applicants may include government institutions, municipalities, tourism and cultural agencies, convention bureaux or other suitably mandated organisations.
The successful host will work closely with MIAF, which retains responsibility for the overall direction, programming and implementation of ACCES. The host partner will be expected to provide or secure key infrastructure, financial and logistical support, local industry mobilisation, safety coordination and assistance with relevant permits and visa processes.
How to apply
Applicants must:
- Download and carefully read the official Host City Bidding Guidelines.
- Confirm that the proposed city meets the infrastructure, commercial, safety and logistical requirements.
- Prepare information and photographs of the proposed conference, exhibition and live music venues.
- Attach a signed and stamped official bid letter, including a brief motivation for hosting ACCES.
- Complete the online application form in English.
- Submit the application by 15 November 2026.
Bids must be submitted through the official online form available on the official bid page here. Applicants must download and review the complete bidding guidelines before applying. The guidelines, official bid-letter template and further information are available on the Bid to Host ACCES page.
Applications submitted by email or through any other channel will not be considered.
Selection process
- Application deadline: 15 November 2026
- Shortlisted bidders notified: 15 December 2026
- Site visits and further assessments: 15 January–28 February 2027
- Final decision: 15 March 2027
Shortlisted bidders invited to the assessment stage will be responsible for the reasonable travel and accommodation costs of up to two MIAF officials undertaking an official site visit.
For enquiries, contact Claire Metais at [email protected].
Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has been hosted in Dakar, Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, Kigali and Pretoria. Johannesburg will host the 2026 edition from 28 to 31 October.
Open call: African cities invited to bid to host ACCES in 2027 and 2028
The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) invites African cities to submit bids to host ACCES, Africa’s leading music trade event in 2027 and 2028. Submit the application by 15 November 2026. In the photo: Veteran South African singer at ACCES 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda. Held in a different African city each year, ACCES brings the global music industry to the continent. Recent editions have attracted more than 1,000 delegates from over 45 countries, including artists, executives, investors, policymakers, media, cultural organisations and
First batch of artists to watch live at ACCES 2026
The ninth edition of the Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) will return from 28 to 31 October 2026 at The Forum in Bryanston, Johannesburg, bringing together music professionals from across the continent for four days of networking, knowledge exchange and live performances. The conference will take place at The Forum, The Campus, in Bryanston on 29 and 30 October, while the expanded showcase festival and ACCES Industry Nights will take place at venues across Johannesburg from