NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud of its partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a Strategic Implementing Partner (SIP) for its Social Employment Fund (SEF). Through this collaboration, MIAF is running a national programme that is creating jobs, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening South Africa's creative industries — in line with the SEF's overarching goal to generate work for the common good and build community value through employment, social contribution, and inclusive economic participation. Operating under the banner NEFCISA (National Employment Facility for Creative Industries in South Africa), the initiative is recruiting and training participants, matching them with host organisations, and has already placed 1 500 workers across the country — surpassing its original target of 1 000. NEFCISA is delivered through a network of 20 host organisations spanning five provinces, who are actively hosting participants and contributing to work for the common good across South Africa's creative and cultural industries. Key Objectives: Support employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. Offer skills development and training programmes. Foster partnerships between public and private creative sectors. Promote South African creativity at both provincial and national levels Foster community development through social contribution.

ACCES
ACCES

ACCES Conference and Showcase Festival is Africa's leading music industry gathering, bringing together the people shaping the future of the continent's music business. Artists, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, policymakers and cultural leaders from across Africa and around the world come to ACCES to build partnerships, exchange ideas, discover talent and create new business opportunities. Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has become the continent's premier platform for professional exchange and music market development. Combining a high-level conference with a curated showcase festival, networking, exhibitions and industry programmes, ACCES offers a unique space where creativity meets business and where African music connects with the global industry.

Gender@Work
Gender@Work

Music In Africa Gender @ Work is a three-year training programme aimed at upskilling and increasing the participation of female professionals in the African music sector. Launched by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in April 2019, the programme is connected to the MIAF’s ACCES music conference – a pan-African event held in a different African country every year. This connection enables the programme to reach new participants in a different African country every year. The programme marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by the Foundation to support the participation and inclusion of women in all facets of its programmes and the music sector in Africa as a whole. Over the three years, the programme will aim to address gender imbalances in the sector through training, lobbying, facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogues that foster the interest of women. The broader objectives of the programme are to: Provide industry training for women on critical music industry skills, focusing on: Stage management Electronic music production and recording Music business management Technical knowledge Provide an opportunity for both professional and aspiring women to benefit from the Music In Africa network and its broad range of activities in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Provide a solution-based platform in the form of a round table at ACCES with a view to identify challenges, discuss opportunities and lobby for the interests of female practitioners. Offer participants the opportunity to benefit from programmes offered by MIAF’s partners. Increase access to educational materials. Integrate participants in the broader ACCES programme to maximise experience and exposure to the industry. Record and present training materials on the www.musicinafrica.net, including but not limited to tutorials, templates and other best-practice materials. Communicate women-based themes that support the initiatives and messages of the programme. MAIN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Training in first country (Ghana): In the first year, participants will be trained on all aspects of stage management by a team of experienced stage managers from 10 to 17 November 2019. The programme will offer robust classroom training as well as practical, hands-on training in which participants will also be given the opportunity to manage various aspects of the ACCES performance programme. Training in second country: The second training iteration will take place at ACCES 2020 when the programme will diversify its course to include music production lessons and training on other music business topics. A round-table platform will also be introduced to coincide with the ACCES programme. Training in third country: The third training iteration will take place at ACCES 2021 in a different country, offering an advanced course. HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?  As a participant, facilitator or trainer: The programme enrolls up to 12 trainees every year. All opportunities are advertised publicly on this website, and will be added to this page. Please keep checking this page for new calls (below under UPDATES & CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES). As a partner Please contact Claire Metais at [email protected]. APPLY The call for applications for 2020 will be announced soon. The Music In Africa Gender @ Work programme is made possible with the support of the Prince Claus Fund, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Sound Connects Fund
Sound Connects Fund

For cultural and creative practitioners and organisations operating in southern Africa, access to funding remains a major challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a massive impact on government policy, spending and the economy in general, and has seen spending on culture being moved further down the list of priorities. Further, the cultural and creative industries repeatedly cite four main areas where investment is needed for growth, which are increased visibility, mobility including access to new markets, finance and support structures.

Instrument Building And Repair Project
Instrument Building And Repair Project

Experience the Vibrations African Instruments Exhibition online in 3D

News

Afrofest and StageVibes offer ACCES-affiliated artists performance opportunities in Toronto

06 Nov 2026 - 08:50

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Three artists who attended or are affiliated with ACCES 2026 will be selected to perform at one of Canada’s longest-running African music festivals.

Zimbabwean artist Sylent Nqo performing at the 2026 edition of ACCES in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Jonathon Reese

Music Africa of Canada Inc., organisers of the internationally recognised AFROFEST Toronto, in partnership with StageVibes, is pleased to announce an exclusive opportunity for three artists who attended the 2026 ACCES Music Conference and Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa, to perform at AFROFEST 2027.

Scheduled for July 9–11, 2027, in Toronto, Canada, AFROFEST is one of the longest-running and most respected African music festivals in the world. Established in 1989, the festival has become an important platform for showcasing African music, celebrating cultural diversity, and connecting African and diasporic artists with international audiences.

With a history of attracting more than 100,000 attendees, AFROFEST provides an exciting opportunity for artists seeking to expand their international presence and develop new professional connections within the Canadian music industry.

Three Exclusive Performance Opportunities

Through this initiative, Music Africa of Canada Inc will select three artists from the ACCES 2026 community to participate in AFROFEST 2027.

The opportunity is open to singers, musicians, artisans, and DJs who attended ACCES 2026.

Performance Details:

  • Festival: AFROFEST 2027
  • Dates: July 9–11, 2027
  • Location: Toronto, Canada
  • Available Opportunities: Three
  • Performance Duration: 20–40 minutes
  • Application Deadline: December 15, 2026

Interested applicants must submit their applications through StageVibes at https://stagevibes.com/jobs/details/116. Visit the link to see all the performance conditions.

Applicants should note that submission does not guarantee selection. Selected artists will be responsible for securing the necessary Canadian visas, although Music Africa of Canada Inc will provide reasonable assistance where required.

Supporting Artist Development and International Networking

During ACCES 2026 in Johannesburg, StageVibes representatives also engaged with artists and entertainment professionals seeking guidance on international career development.

Participants were offered opportunities to learn about the Canadian entertainment market, receive feedback on their professional biographies and artist profiles, and explore strategies for positioning themselves for international engagements.

The initiative reflects Music Africa of Canada Inc’s continuing commitment to supporting African artists beyond individual performances by helping them develop the professional networks, knowledge, and tools necessary for sustainable international careers.

Building Bridges Between Africa and Canada

For more than three decades, Music Africa of Canada Inc. has played an important role in promoting African music and culture in Canada through festivals, concerts, artist development, and cultural exchange.

The AFROFEST 2027 performance opportunity builds on this legacy by creating a direct pathway for artists participating in one of Africa's leading music industry conferences to connect with Canadian audiences and industry professionals.

Through AFROFEST and StageVibes, Music Africa of Canada Inc continues to strengthen cultural and professional relationships between Africa and Canada while expanding opportunities for African creative talent.

How to Apply

Artists who attended ACCES 2026 and wish to be considered for the three AFROFEST 2027 performance opportunities are encouraged to apply before December 15, 2026.

Apply online: www.stagevibes.com/jobs/details/116

Download the StageVibes app: Available for iOS and Android.

About Music Africa of Canada Inc.

Music Africa of Canada Inc. is a Toronto-based nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to promoting African music, supporting artists, and fostering cultural exchange. Established in 1992, the organization produces AFROFEST Toronto and other initiatives that celebrate African heritage and connect artists with diverse audiences.

About StageVibes

StageVibes is a Canadian-founded digital networking and employment platform serving artists and entertainment industry professionals. The platform provides tools for professional visibility, networking, job discovery, direct hiring, and industry collaboration, helping creative professionals connect with opportunities locally and internationally.

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