The Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) heads back to Constitution Hill, Johannesburg on May 22–23, 2026, continuing its mission as a vital meeting point between the African and global music industries. Built around dialogue, innovation, and meaningful collaboration, ARMC has established itself as one of the continent’s most important platforms for shaping the future of music and culture.
For 2026, ARMC unveils its first wave of headline speakers spanning music, technology, media, and cultural leadership, with more international artists, executives, and partners still to be announced. Confirmed names include Elaine, Nkosiyati Khumalo of Billboard Africa, Simmy, Filah Lah Lah, and Rofhiwa Maneta of Meta. On the international front, early announcements feature Steffen Holly from Fraunhofer IDMT in Germany and Alex Jukes of Jukebox in the UK, signaling the event’s continued global reach.
A key development for 2026 is ARMC’s new strategic partnership with the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), the organization representing the country’s major and independent record labels. The collaboration strengthens industry-wide conversations around artist rights, sustainability, and long-term structural growth within the South African and broader African music ecosystems.
This year’s program also places a strong spotlight on emerging and culturally significant genres. Lekompo, a fast-rising sound from Limpopo, will be highlighted for its rapid growth from grassroots movement to streaming success. Artists like Shandesh and Kharishma have already amassed tens of millions of streams, demonstrating how regional styles are scaling nationally through digital discovery. ARMC will also explore the evolution of Maskandi, examining how this deeply traditional, community-rooted genre continues to reach new mainstream audiences while preserving its cultural identity.
The 2026 conference is structured around four key pillars: Live & Entertainment, Innovation & Music Tech, Education & Employment, and Export & Building Bridges. Expanding on ARMC’s Music in Tech (Africa) framework introduced in 2025, the AI Think Tank Roundtable will make its Johannesburg debut. Originally launched in Berlin by Paradise Worldwide, the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM), MusicTech Germany, and the Fraunhofer Institute, the initiative brings together leaders from music and technology to address ethical AI use, fair attribution, creator protection, and Pan-African models for independent growth.
Marking the collaborative spirit of the conference, ARMC also releases its 2026 theme song, “3NRGY,” by Money Badoo from South Africa and Bony Fly from Switzerland. The track emerged from ARMC’s annual studio sessions and reflects the event’s ongoing commitment to cross-border creative exchange.
“ARMC continues to be about building real pathways — between artists, executives, markets, and ideas,” says Sarah Jane Nicholson, Founder and Conference Director of the Africa Rising Music Conference. “Announcing our first speakers and genre spotlights sets the tone for a programme rooted in collaboration, cultural relevance, and long-term industry impact. We’re excited to reveal much more in the months ahead.”
ARMC 2026 is presented with the support of headline partners Paradise Worldwide and Mint Digital Services. Beyond the daytime conference, the event will once again expand into a curated nighttime program of showcases and live performances across Johannesburg, with additional details to be announced soon.
Early bird tickets are now available through Quicket, as ARMC prepares to once again bring together the voices shaping the sound and business of music across Africa and beyond. Early bird tickets are available via Quicket:
https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321748-africa-rising-music-conference-2026/#/