Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC), taking place on 22–23 May 2026 at Constitution Hill, has unveiled its full programme, including the complete ARMC by Night lineup, daytime conference agenda, and a landmark partnership with Johnnie Walker AfroExchange, alongside Jaecoo as the official mobility partner.
ARMC by Night returns with its most globally diverse and genre-spanning programme to date, bringing together a powerful mix of African and international talent across live and electronic music. The lineup features leading South African names, including Ney The Bae, Mörda, Rouge and Brother Kupa alongside internationally acclaimed Henrik Schwarz (DE). The programme also spotlights global talent from the ARMC focus countries, including Vini Mercy (UGA), Milan Ring (AUS) and Dobby (AUS).
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. Presented by Johnnie Walker AfroExchange, ARMC by Night transforms Constitution Hill’s Women’s Prison into a dynamic 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 brought to life in collaboration with Lucid Sets. This creative production company has delivered over 800 events to date across festivals, brands, and cultural platforms, known for its immersive, high-impact production.
“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
The ARMC by Day programme brings together industry leaders, creators, and innovators for a comprehensive conference experience spanning panels, workshops, showcases, and exhibitions. Full Conference Program is now live here: https://africarisingmusicconference.com/our-program/
Key highlights include:
- Introduction of the Sound Bridges Access Fund, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Pretoria
- Industry sessions with TikTok, Meta, RiSA and more
- A keynote conversation with Elaine, in partnership with SAMRO
- Australian Music Market Spotlight
- Turnkey Music & Multimedia Demo Lab
- A dedicated AI Think Tank exploring the future of music and technology as well as an AI-focused panel in collaboration with Paradise Worldwide and Fraunhofer IDMT
- Curated networking sessions connecting artists, executives and international delegates
- Panels session with industry leaders Kim Jayde, Filah Lah Lah, & J’Something
“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
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.
Pre-Conference Networking Event
ARMC, in collaboration with the Music Business Network, will host a special pre-conference gathering on 21 May. This 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 via Quicket, offering access to the full evening music programme.
Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321748-africa-rising-music-conference-2026/