ACCES 2017 programme announced

ACCES will host a number of prominent professionals who will participate in informative panel discussions where they will talk about the central issues affecting the African music industry. The participants include José Da Silva (Sony Music West Africa), Sipho Dlamini (Universal Music South Africa & sub-Saharan Africa), Christine Semba (WOMEX Germany), Mamou Daffé (Festival on the Niger, Mali), Christine Kamau (Women In Music Forum, Kenya) and Emma Ricour (KEIZIT Africa), among many others.

The panel discussions at the two-day ACCES 2017, which will open with a keynote address by legendary Senegalese musician Baaba Maal, will revolve around such topics as record labels in Africa, mobility and support for African musicians, music distribution, media, women in music, the effects of conflict on music, and the music industry in Senegal.

The ACCES 2017 programme also provides information on the showcases and exhibitions to take place during the conference as well as details on the concluding Music In Ternaga concert featuring Mamy Kanouté (Senegal), Moh Dediouf (Senegal), R-Light (Côte d’Ivoire), Cheikh Lô (Senegal) and Tamikrest (Mali) at Place du Souvenir in Dakar on 18 November.   

“This year’s speakers have been hand-picked to provide relevant discussions about the state of the music industry in Africa,” Music In Africa Foundation director Eddie Hatitye said.

“ACCES strives to be the most up-to-date music industry meeting on the continent and we’re confident that those gathered to witness the panel discussions will come away with more answers than questions about where the African music sector is headed.

“We’re also incredibly excited about the musicians performing at the Music In Teranga concert in partnership with Teranga Jam Fest. After all, a music conference can only be called such if there is great music on display, and we’ve certainly made sure to showcase some of the best talent in West Africa,” he added.

About Teranga Jam Fest

Teranga Jam Fest is a cultural diplomacy-based music and performing arts festival that will take place for the first time in Dakar. The first edition focuses on West African artists with a view to create a bridge between traditional and modern music.

About ACCES

The Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) is an annual music conference that hosts industry players from across the African continent. ACCES 2017 will be held in Dakar, Senegal, on 17 and 18 November and will see music professionals converge on the Senegalese capital to exchange ideas, discover new talent and accelerate the shaping of the music sector on the continent. The conference offers training workshops, panel discussions, presentations, networking sessions, exhibitions, showcases, concerts and visits to key music industry hubs in Dakar.

For more information, or if you would like to attend the conference, visit the ACCES 2017 official website.