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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