Magic System frontman A’salfo to speak at ACCES 2022

Registrations for ACCES 2022 are now open on a first-come, first-served basis. African delegates register for free.

A'salfo, whose real name is Salif Traoré, is behind a number of global hits including ‘Premier Gaou’, ‘Chérie Coco’, ‘Zouglou Dance’ and ‘Magic in the Air’. The musician also chairs the Magic System Foundation, which is involved in several social initiatives working in the fields of health, education and peace. He was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2012 for his contribution to the promotion of literacy and his engagement against discrimination and injustice.

In 2008, he created the Anoumabo Urban Music Festival (FEMUA), which is held every year in the neighbourhood of the same name in Abidjan, where the musician grew up. The free event is designed to provide inclusivity and access for the general public to be exposed to the arts while advocating for strong social action.

“Apart from navigating the intricacies of the music business and making people dance or sing, musicians should use their fame to develop their communities for a better tomorrow,” A'Salfo told Music In Africa. His talk will touch on his international career, his social commitment and the role of education in the development of the continent's music industries, among others.

A'salfo joins several previously announced music professionals who will speak at the music conference. They include Sony Music Publishing Nigeria managing director Godwin Tom (Nigeria), fast-rising singer Abigail (Tanzania), Vth Season founder Raphael Benza (South Africa), Byta founder Marc Brown (Sweden) and many more.

ACCES 2022 will feature a dynamic pool of local and international speakers, businesses and showcasing artists. The music trade show offers a strong programme that includes industry talks, pitch and networking sessions, workshops, exhibitions, awards and music performances.

ACCES’ live music showcases will take place at Brake Point Makumbusho (Village Museum) over three nights. Some nine showcasing acts have been announced to date, including SinaUbi Zawose (Tanzania), Oumar Konaté (Mali), Flying Bantu (Zimbabwe), Joyce Babatunde (Cameroon), Naïnako (Madagascar), Vitali Maembe & Watupa Mawe (Tanzania), TaraJazz Zanzibar (Tanzania), Tofa Jaxx (Tanzania) and Kalam La Reine du Kundé (Burkina Faso). More speakers and showcasing artists will be announced soon.

Previously announced ACCES 2022 speakers:

• Godwin Tom – managing director, Sony Music Publishing Nigeria (Nigeria)
• Abigail – singer and multi-instrumentalist (Tanzania)
• Andre le Roux – managing director, IKS Consulting (South Africa)
• Beth Achitsa – artist and label relations executive for East Africa at The Orchard (Kenya)
• Sandra Brown – founder, Stargaze Company Limited (Tanzania)
• Raphael Benza – founder, Vth Season (South Africa)
• Marc Brown – founder, Byta (Sweden)
• Stephan Eicke – record producer (UK/Germany)
• Eric Soul – DJ, event producer, radio and TV host (Rwanda)
• Elisabeth Stoudmann – Vibrations Magazine founder (Switzerland)
• David Tinning – a co-founder, Santuri East Africa (Kenya)
• Chioma Onuchukwu – head of TuneCore for West and East Africa (Nigeria)
• Natasha Stambuli – general manager, Boomplay Tanzania (Tanzania)
• Jusnah Gadi – founder, Young Music Boss (UK)
• Sevi Spanoudi – CEO, Black Major (South Africa)
• Karabo Senna – sales and licensing general manager, Southern African Music Rights Organisation (South Africa)
• Baraka Issadu – director, Action Music Tanzania (Tanzania)
• Thando Makhunga – managing director, Sheer Publishing Africa (South Africa)
• Yusuf Mahmoud – festival director, Sauti za Busara (Tanzania)
• Gareth Wilson – A&R exec, Electromode/Ingrooves (South Africa)
• Islam Elbeiti – musician and cultural curator (Sudan)
• Ghita Khaldi – production director, EAC L'Boulvart (Morocco)
• Ade Bantu – founder, Afropolitan Vibes (Nigeria)
• Eddie Hatitye – director, Music In Africa Foundation (South Africa)

Register for ACCES 2022 here.

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 non-profit pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports and Alliance Française.

Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.