ARMC 2026 is structured around four programme pillars: Live & Entertainment, Innovation & Music Tech, Education & Employment, and Export & Building Bridges.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
The Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) returns to Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, on May 22-23, 2026, continuing its role as a leading platform connecting African and global music industries through dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.
ARMC, a female-led music conference focused on leadership, artiste and executive exchange, has announced its first headline speakers spanning music, technology, media, and culture, with further international artistes, executives, and partners to be revealed in the coming months.
Confirmed headline speakers include South African artistes Elaine and Simmy, along with singer-songwriter Filah Lah Lah, Billboard Africa’s Nkosiyati Khumalo, and Meta’s Rofhiwa Maneta. International headline speakers announced to date include Steffen Holly from Fraunhofer IDMT in Germany and Alex Jukes from Jukebox PR in the UK, with additional global voices to follow.
ARMC 2026 announces a strategic partnership with the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), representing South Africa’s major and independent record labels. The partnership supports ongoing dialogue around rights, sustainability, and long-term industry growth. This year’s edition will spotlight two distinctive South African genres.
Lekompo, a fast-rising genre from Limpopo, has been translating grassroots momentum into digital scale, with leading artistes including Shandesh and Kharishma generating over 70–80 million cumulative streams and continued growth across Spotify charts and playlists. The programme will also spotlight Maskandi, exploring how traditional, community-rooted music continues to reach new mainstream audiences through digital platforms while retaining cultural identity.
The 2026 conference is structured around four programme pillars: Live & Entertainment, Innovation & Music Tech, Education & Employment, and Export & Building Bridges. Based on ARMC’s Music in Tech (Africa) format, developed in 2025, the AI Think Tank Roundtable will expand to Johannesburg for the first time in May 2026. The initiative, launched in Berlin by Paradise Worldwide, AIxchange, the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM), MusicTech Germany, and the Fraunhofer Institute, will bring together music and technology leaders to explore the ethical use of AI, fair attribution, creator protection, and Pan-African independence ecosystems.
“ARMC continues to be about building real pathways – between artistes, executives, markets, and ideas”, says Sarah Jane Nicholson, Founder and Conference Director of 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 made possible with the support of its headline partners Paradise Worldwide and Mint Digital Services. The conference will once again extend into a curated night-time programme of showcases and live performances across Johannesburg, with further details and partners to be announced.
Early bird tickets are available via Quicket here.