Africa Rising Music Conference returns to Johannesburg this May with global names, bold ideas and a spotlight on homegrown sounds
Johannesburg’s cultural calendar is about to get a serious upgrade. The Africa Rising Music Conference is back at Constitution Hill on 22 and 23 May 2026, bringing two days of big conversations, boundary-pushing innovation and cross-continental collaboration to the heart of the city.
Now firmly established as one of the continent’s leading music industry gatherings, ARMC connects African and global players across music, media and tech. Female-led and future-focused, the conference champions leadership, artist and executive exchange, and real-world collaboration that stretches far beyond panel discussions.
Founder and Conference Director Sarah Jane Nicholson says the 2026 edition is rooted in building tangible pathways between artists, executives, markets and ideas. The first wave of speakers and genre spotlights, she explains, sets the tone for a programme centred on cultural relevance and long-term impact, with much more still to be revealed in the months ahead.
First headline speakers announced
This year’s early headline names span music, technology and media, reflecting ARMC’s cross-industry ethos.
Confirmed speakers include chart-topping artist Elaine, Nkosiyati Khumalo of Billboard Africa, singer-songwriter Filah Lah Lah and Rofhiwa Maneta from Meta.
International voices already confirmed include Steffen Holly of Fraunhofer IDMT in Germany and Alex Jukes of Jukebox PR. More global artists and executives are set to join the line-up in the coming months.
A strategic partnership with RISA
ARMC 2026 also announces a strategic partnership with the Recording Industry of South Africa, the organisation representing the country’s major and independent record labels. The collaboration aims to strengthen dialogue around rights, sustainability and long-term industry growth at a time when the African market is rapidly evolving.
Genre spotlights: Lekompo and Maskandi
This year’s programme turns its attention to two powerful expressions of South African identity: Lekompo and Maskandi.
Lekompo, a fast-rising genre from Limpopo, is translating grassroots momentum into serious digital scale. Artists such as Shandesh and Kharishma have amassed tens of millions of cumulative streams, with strong growth across platforms including Spotify. It is a case study in how regional sounds can build national audiences through streaming-led discovery.
Maskandi will also take centre stage, with sessions exploring how this deeply rooted, community-driven genre continues to expand its mainstream reach through digital platforms, all while holding firmly onto its cultural identity.
Four pillars shaping 2026
ARMC 2026 is built around four core pillars: Live and Entertainment, Innovation and Music Tech, Education and Employment, and Export and Building Bridges.
A major highlight will be the expansion of the AI Think Tank Roundtable to Johannesburg for the first time. Originally launched in Berlin by Paradise Worldwide alongside partners including Association For Electronic Music and MusicTech Germany, the initiative brings together music and technology leaders to debate ethical AI use, fair attribution, creator protection and the future of Pan-African independent ecosystems.
The 2026 theme song
True to its collaborative spirit, ARMC also drops its 2026 theme song, 3NRGY, by Money Badoo and Bony Fly. The track was born out of the conference’s annual studio sessions and captures the kind of cross-border creative exchange ARMC actively facilitates.
Supported by headline partners Paradise Worldwide and MintDigital Services, ARMC will once again spill into a curated night-time programme of showcases and live performances across Johannesburg. Further details on venues and partners are set to follow.
Early bird tickets are now available via Quicket, with demand expected to rise as more names and programme details are announced. For artists, executives and music lovers alike, Africa Rising Music Conference 2026 promises two days where ideas meet action — and where Africa’s next chapter in music takes shape.