The seventh iteration of the annual Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) will take place for the first time in Kigali from November 14-16. Organized by Music In Africa Foundation in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and Arts, the free event is aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s music industry and positioning Kigali as a key destination for music professionals from across Africa. A host of industry leaders, artistes and stakeholders will convene in the Rwandan capital city for the conference which aims at making a positive change in Africa through music. Participants will meet to foster collaborations, creativity, and growth of African music sector. More than 20 artistes from over 10 African countries are expected to perform live at Mundi Centre besides a workshop set to be held at Kigali Conventional Centre. Among different activities on the three-day conference agenda are Live music showcases, capacity-building workshops, exhibitions, networking with over 20 speakers including African music industry stalwarts, and visits to music industry hubs in Kigali. Speaking at a press conference in Kigali on Friday, October 11, Music in Africa Foundation Executive Director Eddie Hatitye said that Acces intends to not only challenge musicians to take advantage of the workshops and offer the right bridging points for all kinds of people involved in the music industry. Music In Africa not only holds Acces conferences but it also does projects that fund young artistes to travel across the continent, workshops on developmental projects and much focus on the culture of the right use and protection of copyrights and pushing a strong agenda on gender equality. Hatitye believes the conference is an opportunity for artistes to pitch themselves and for African artistes. The event is curated to offer what is believed to be the right bridging points for all kinds of people involved in the music industry. “In order for anyone to make it in music, you have to take it as a business. They need to take the industry seriously as a business, from how they protect their work, its distribution and how they get the money to be able to continue making more music which is why Acces is here in Kigali and hoping to make a change within the industry,” said Hatitye. According to Minister of state for Youth and Arts Sandrine Umutoni, Rwanda is more than ready for such activities and Rwandan musicians have expressed interest since such festivals started coming to Rwanda. “The reason this conference is important for the ministry to take part in, is because it speaks directly to its mandate which is to promote youth and arts development,” Umutoni said. “To be able to host an activity that calls all African musicians, business people behind the music industry will be a good opportunity to discover local talents and invite international artistes so they can have more networking and exchanges of experiences,” she added. Among artistes lined up for performances at Mundi Center during the conference include Ish Kevin, Bushali, Ariel Wayz, Impakanizi, Ruti Joel, Kaya Byinshi, Sir Trill from South Africa, Octopizzo from Kenya, Indigo Saint from Zimbabwe, Assa Matusse from Mozambique, Aurus from Reunion Island, Jordan Boozy from Botswana, Majnun from Senegal and Youbana from Morocco, among others. ACCES is a Pan-African trade show for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. It is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. Since its launch in 2018, the conference has been held in different African cities each year including Dakar (Senegal), Dar es Salaam(Tanzania), Nairobi(Kenya) and Johannesburg (South Africa). ACCES allows participants to strengthen existing partnerships, forge new ones and catalyze robust engagement for upcoming artists, performers, and entrepreneurs from the music field.
