Benin: SIMA to hold third edition in November

The event, co-founded in 2022 by cultural entrepreneur Mamby Diomandé and artist and producer Pit Baccardi, will be held under the theme African Music: From the Stage to Global Influence.

SIMA’s previous edition attracted more than 6 700 participants, including over 3 000 industry professionals, according to the organisers.

The 2026 programme will focus on three areas: improving the competitiveness and international reach of African creative businesses; strengthening links between music and sectors such as fashion, film, tourism and sport; and addressing public policy, intellectual property and regulatory frameworks.

“African music is no longer simply a cultural phenomenon: it has become a force of influence. Our challenge now is to transform this influence into sustainable economic power,” Diomandé said.

“SIMA aims to build connections between creators, investors, institutions and markets so that the international visibility of our talents translates into measurable data, content monetisation, economic opportunities, jobs and value creation for the continent,” he added.

SIMA will begin its wider programme with SIMA Lab. Music, an artist and producer residency running from 7 to 11 November. Participants from across Africa will work on a collaborative EP, with distribution by an international major label under consideration.

The professional programme on 12 and 13 November will feature panels and discussions on artificial intelligence, copyright, artist mobility, financing and emerging markets.

A session will also examine the relationship between football and music, bringing together representatives from both sectors. The showcase platform Makaya will feature emerging artists from countries including Togo, Kenya and Madagascar.

The programme will also include the Hamed Bakayoko Award, an honorary distinction recognising a patron for their contribution to Africa’s cultural and creative industries.

SIMA will conclude its 2026 programme with a tourism circuit on 14 November, organised in collaboration with Benin Tourism. The initiative will take participants to cultural, historical and tourism sites across the country.

The event is supported by several institutional and private-sector organisations, including Benin’s Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, the Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Trade, the Embassy of France in Côte d’Ivoire, the BOAD Foundation, SACEM, Sony Music and Warner Music Africa.

SIMA says the event aims to strengthen connections between African and international music markets while addressing the technological, economic and regulatory changes affecting the continent’s creative industries.

The third edition will be the second consecutive edition hosted by Benin.