gamma, EMPIRE, Sheer, Sony, Ditto, Boomplay, The Orchard confirmed for ACCES 2023

Among the experts – programmed to participate in keynotes and panel discussions giving special attention to central aspects of the dynamic African music landscape – is Sipho Dlamini (South Africa) who is the president of Africa and the Middle East for multimedia platform gamma. Dlamini joins ACCES after gamma launched operations in Africa and the Middle East in May. He boasts expertise across various aspects of the entertainment business, including collective management, music publishing and artist development. He was previously the CEO of Universal Music South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, and before that led the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, the biggest collective management organisation in Africa.

American independent distribution company and record label EMPIRE will be represented at ACCES 2023 by Ezegozie Eze Jr (Nigeria), who is the company’s vice-president of strategy and market development for Africa and the diaspora . The Nigerian executive has more than 11 years of experience focusing on economic impact and ecosystem development in the creative and entertainment industries.

Sheer Publishing Africa managing director Thando Makhunga (South Africa) will also be present at ACCES 2023. Sheer is the largest independent music publisher in Africa, and Makhunga is known for her commitment to championing African music and improving access to information about publishing and creator rights. She will be joined at the music trade show by Sheer Publishing head of A&R Kefiloe Molefe (South Africa), who is a regular panellist at prominent music conferences, and Sheer head of creative and licensing Shiro Mwendwa (South Africa). Mwendwa boasts a dynamic career of 14 years in project management, artist management and corporate communication. 

Ditto Music regional manager for Africa Wendy Verwey Bekker (South Africa), who has extensive experience in digital distribution and working with festivals and music tech startups, will provide insight into the music industry’s growth in Africa while offering an alternative to major labels.

Mpumi Phillips (South Africa), director of distribution at Sony Music subsidiary The Orchard, has a long career in music clearance for film, TV and commercials, while Sony Music Publishing managing director Rowlin Naicker (South Africa) will draw from his various roles in music publishing.

Representing the growing music streaming space in Africa, Boomplay brand specialist Faith Hilary (Tanzania) will share her knowledge about the dynamic Tanzanian music industry and supporting the promotion of local artists to create strong brand relationships with music consumers.

More than 400 music businesses from across the globe will be represented at ACCES this year.

Register for ACCES 2023 here. African delegates register for free. 

Register for ACCES 2023 workshops here.

View the full conference and showcase programme here. 

ACCES 2023 speakers

• Sho Madjozi – artist and entrepreneur (South Africa)
• Marioo – musician and producer (Tanzania)
• Sipho Dlamini – president of Africa and the Middle East, gamma. (South Africa)
• Kontawa – artist (Tanzania)
• Percy Yip Tong – founder, Cyper Produktion (Mauritius)
• Samuel Sangwa – regional director for Africa, CISAC (Rwanda)
• Wendy Verwey Bekker – regional manager Africa, Ditto Music
• Abbas Jazza – managing director, Sisso Records (Tanzania)
• Jusnah Gadi – founder, Young Music Boss (UK)
• 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 (US)
• Mercy Barno – producer (Kenya)
• Kimberly Oxide – research and development manager, MOMIX (Mauritius)
• Antoine Mensah – broadcaster (Ghana)
• Sniper Mantana – CEO, Str8Up Vibes (Tanzania)
• 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)
• Shiba Melissa Mazaza – music journalist (South Africa) 
• Kalin Pashaliev – editor-in-chief, Music In Africa Foundation (South Africa)
• 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 – co-founder, Vth Season (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.

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