MIAF Opens Bidding for ACCES 2027-28 Host Cities, Deadline 15 Nov 2026
The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) has opened the call for bids, inviting African cities to host its flagship event, the Music in Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES), for the 2027 and 2028 editions. Applications must be submitted by 15 November 2026, and the chosen host cities will be announced on 15 March 2027.
ACCES is Africa’s largest music industry gathering. Recent editions have drawn more than 1,000 delegates from over 45 countries, including artists, record executives, investors, policymakers, media representatives and other professionals across the music value chain. Each conference takes place in a new African city and offers a full slate of activities: a conference, exhibitions, a showcase festival, industry nights, workshops, songwriting camps, investment forums and networking events.
A typical ACCES edition, with roughly 500 visiting delegates, generates about US$1.28 million in direct spending for the host country. Beyond the immediate economic injection, the event delivers longer‑term benefits such as media exposure, music export opportunities, potential investment and the creation of more than 300 jobs in the host city. The actual impact varies with the host market, programme size and local conditions.
MIAF’s Host City Bidding Guidelines are available on the ACCES website. Applicants must:
- Confirm that the proposed city meets infrastructure, commercial, safety and logistical requirements. - Provide information and photographs of conference, exhibition and live‑music venues. - Attach a signed and stamped official bid letter, including a brief motivation for hosting ACCES. - Complete the online application form in English.
Bids may be submitted only through the official online form; email or other channels will not be accepted.
Eligible applicants are officially registered African organisations that can represent or coordinate a proposed host city. This includes government institutions, municipalities, tourism and cultural agencies, convention bureaux and other suitably mandated organisations.
The successful host will partner closely with MIAF, which retains overall direction, programming and implementation responsibilities. The host partner must provide or secure key infrastructure, financial and logistical support, local industry mobilisation, safety coordination and assistance with permits and visa processes.
Selection timeline: - Application deadline: 15 November 2026 - Shortlisted bidders notified: 15 December 2026 - Site visits and further assessments: 15 January – 28 February 2027 - Final decision: 15 March 2027
Shortlisted bidders will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs for up to two MIAF officials conducting the official site visit.
Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has been hosted in Dakar, Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, Kigali and Pretoria. Johannesburg will stage the 2026 edition from 28 to 31 October at The Forum in Bryanston, bringing music professionals together for four days of networking and knowledge exchange.
MIAF Executive Director Eddie Hatitye said, "ACCES is built through strong partnerships with its host markets. We want cities to show us how hosting ACCES can support their local music industries while creating a meaningful meeting point between Africa and the global music business. The bidding process allows us to evaluate those opportunities transparently and build editions that leave a lasting impact."
For further information or enquiries, contact Claire Metais at claire@musicinafrica.net.
The call for bids offers African cities a chance to showcase their music, culture and creative economy to an international audience while potentially stimulating local economic activity across venues, hospitality, transport and tourism sectors.
