The director of the Jacaranda Music Festival, Walter Wanyanya, is set to headline a strong Zimbabwean and regional presence at the Africa Live Entertainment Conference (ALEC) 2026, scheduled for April 23–25 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The high-level gathering will convene leading figures from across Africa’s music, events, policy, and investment sectors to map the future of the continent’s rapidly growing live entertainment industry. Organisers say the conference comes at a pivotal moment when global interest in Africa’s creative economy continues to rise, positioning ALEC as a key platform to strengthen touring circuits and industry infrastructure.
ALEC Head of Media and Communications, Usher Nyambi, confirmed that this year’s edition will focus on practical solutions to long-standing industry barriers, particularly around artist mobility, access to financing, and cross-border collaboration.
The conference has received formal endorsement from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, underlining its policy relevance and continental significance.
Over three days, ALEC will host a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and closed-door roundtables tackling pressing industry issues. Key sessions include “The State of African Live Entertainment,” “The Global Routing,” and “Touring Without Borders,” which will explore visa challenges, logistics, and regional cooperation frameworks. A Women in Live Arts (WILA) Brunch will also spotlight gender inclusion in the sector.
The conference boasts an influential lineup of keynote speakers, including Mo Abudu, founder and CEO of EbonyLife, Olivier Laouchez, Sipho Dlamini and Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Olachi Okey-Uche.
Wanyanya joins a diverse roster of panellists and participants, including Cuthbert Ncube, Annabell Lebethe, Bizzle Osikoya, and Lerato Sengadi, among others.
With delegates expected from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, and beyond, ALEC 2026 is positioned as a catalyst for deal-making, partnerships, and long-term growth across Africa’s live entertainment ecosystem.
As Johannesburg prepares to host the landmark event, industry stakeholders view the conference as a critical step toward building a more connected, sustainable, and globally competitive African entertainment industry.
