Africa Rising Music Conference 2026…

Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC), now in its sixth edition, has unveiled the full programme for its 22nd – 23rd May 2026 gathering at Constitution Hill – Johannesburg’s landmark heritage site and cultural precinct. Bringing together artists, executives, and cultural leaders from across Africa, Australia, Germany, Uganda, and beyond, the two-day event includes the complete ARMC by Night lineup, the daytime conference agenda, and a landmark cultural partnership with Johnnie Walker AfroExchange, with Jaecoo joining as official mobility partner.

ARMC by Night Lineup

ARMC by Night returns with its most globally diverse and genre-spanning programme to date, bringing together African and international talent across live and electronic music.

German producer Henrik Schwarz headlines the international contingent, joined by Uganda’s Vini Mercy and Australian artists Milan Ring and Dobby – all representing ARMC’s 2026 focus countries. They share the bill with leading South African artists Ney The Bae, Murdah Bongz, Rouge, and Brother Kupa.

ARMC by Night presented by Johnnie Walker AfroExchange

Presented by Johnnie Walker AfroExchange, ARMC by Night transforms the Women’s Jail at Constitution Hill – a former apartheid-era detention site, now a heritage venue – into a live music and cultural experience. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to amplifying African creative voices, enabling cross-cultural exchange, and supporting the broader ecosystem of artists and creatives.

ARMC’s conference production is delivered in collaboration with Lucid Sets, a creative production company with more than 800 events to its name across festivals, brands, and cultural platforms.

“Real cultural progress happens when purpose meets collaboration, when brands don’t just show up, but build with communities in meaningful and enduring ways. That’s the philosophy behind our brand-owned culture platform, Johnnie Walker Afro Exchange, and it continues to guide how we embed our portfolio brands in culture across Diageo.” – Ifeoma Agu, Group Head of Culture, Influencers and Advocacy, Diageo South, West and Central Africa

Official Mobility Partner

Jaecoo joins ARMC 2026 as the official mobility partner, supporting the transportation of artists, speakers, and international delegates throughout the conference. The partnership reinforces ARMC’s commitment to delivering a seamless, premium experience while enabling efficient movement across key programme moments.

ARMC by Day Programme Highlights

The ARMC by Day programme brings together industry leaders, creators, and innovators for a comprehensive conference experience spanning panels, workshops, showcases, and exhibitions.
Key highlights include:

• The introduction of the Sound Bridges Access Fund, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Pretoria
• Industry sessions with TikTok, Meta, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), and more
• A keynote conversation with South African artist Elaine, in partnership with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO)
• Australian Music Market Spotlight
• The Turnkey Music & Multimedia Demo Lab
• A dedicated AI Think Tank exploring the future of music and technology, alongside an AI-focused panel in collaboration with Berlin-based Paradise Worldwide and Germany’s Fraunhofer IDMT
• Curated networking sessions connecting artists, executives, and international delegates

“ARMC exists to create real opportunity – connecting artists, markets and ideas across borders, while building systems that support long-term growth in African music.” – SJ Nicholson, Founder of Africa Rising Music Conference

The full conference programme is now live: https://africarisingmusicconference.com/our-program/

Pre-Conference Networking Event

ARMC, in collaboration with the Music Business Network, will host a special pre-conference gathering on 21 May. The event brings artists, delegates, and industry together ahead of ARMC to connect early, build relationships, and set the tone – reinforcing the belief that in culture, collaboration beats competition.

New Ticket Tier Announced

A new ARMC by Night-only ticket tier is now available at R100 (approx. €5 / $5.50) via South African ticketing platform Quicket, offering access to the full evening music programme.

Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321748-africa-rising-music-conference-2026/ 

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About ARMC

Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) is a female-led music conference now in its sixth edition at Constitution Hill. The conference is dedicated to building bridges, knowledge exchange, driving innovation and sustainable growth across the African and global music industries. Bringing together artists, executives, and cultural leaders from Africa and beyond, ARMC serves as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and cross-continental connection. In partnership with organisations such as Paradise Worldwide and Mint Digital Services, ARMC continues to support the development of independent creative talent while building bridges between local scenes and international markets.

Paradise Worldwide 

Paradise Worldwide is a Berlin-based music company connecting cultures through innovative music distribution and global rights management. With a strong focus on electronic music, we empower independent artists and labels to stay independent while reaching a worldwide audience.

Our services span data-driven music distribution, licensing, and artist development, ensuring creators retain control of their work while accessing global opportunities. With hubs like ARMC in Africa and Paradise Americas, we bridge continents and scenes, fostering exchange and collaboration across borders.

Johnnie Walker AfroExchange 

AfroExchange is Johnnie Walker’s flagship cultural platform in Africa – a sustained investment in the creative infrastructure through which Africa’s next cultural movements are born. Now in its second major iteration, the platform has evolved from a celebration of African creativity to a structured catalyst for it: building real collaborations, creating real pathways, and producing real work that outlives the event.

Mint Digital Services

Mint Digital Services is digital music administrator specialising in multi-territorial licenses and video on demand administration. Working with publishers, CMOs, and independent entities, Mint enables the use of musical compositions across global digital platforms. Through its dedicated units, Mint licenses both mechanical and performing rights on a multi-territorial basis, supporting online services worldwide.