Visa For Music: 10 editions of dialogue, exchange and talent discovery

This event, now a cornerstone of the cultural and creative industries in Africa, celebrated the milestone with more than 600 showcases, 100 conference sessions and thousands of professional meetings since its inception in 2014.

This year’s edition was characterised by the participation of some 320 artists from more than 40 countries, offering a rich and diverse musical experience to audiences. With 10 conference sessions, four workshops and six networking events including speed meetings, Visa For Music 2023 attracted a large crowd of music professionals and enthusiasts.

The event has a proven international appeal and reach, hosting more than 1 000 delegates from about 80 countries worldwide – among them about 30 African countries and fifteen distinct delegations from the rest of the world – including the International Music Council, the European Jazz Network and Pro Helvetia – which all contributed to a conducive environment for cultural exchange.

African delegations such as the National Arts Council of South Africa, Africalia, Africulturelle and Zhu Culture, as well as Seoul Music Week in South Korea, played a crucial role in building a promising cultural bridges between different traditions and perspectives. Cultural dialogue flourished, providing a fertile ground for development and collaboration.

Visa For Music’s core values are centred on sharing, diversity and tolerance, which were passionately conveyed once again by the audience, speakers, participants, partners and media practitioners. Values like these serve as a solid foundation for creating a space where music transcends borders and connects professionals from around the world.

The event played a crucial role in promoting and highlighting Moroccan, African and Middle Eastern musical treasures through the Visa For Music showcase platform. European, American and Asian artists also contributed to the enrichment of this memorable edition, creating a true musical melting pot.

Visa For Music boss Brahim El Mazned’s team, alongside the event’s partners, succeeded in creating a large-scale event that brought to attention the cultural and economic life of the historically and culturally rich city of Rabat. The event is a beacon of light for music lovers to discover, share and celebrate culture. The melodies of this incredible event are without doubt still resonating in the hearts of the participants who came from all corners of the globe, reminding us of the power that Visa For Music has to create a community of like-minded individuals for the overall development of the music sector.