SIMA 2025: The African Music Industries Fair brings the continent together in Cotonou

Le African Music Industries Fair (SIMA) held its 2025 edition at Cotonou, Benin 13 and 14 Novemberattracting artists, producers, managers, institutions and media from all over Africa. For two days, Benin's economic capital became the nerve center of African musical creation, confirming SIMA's role as one of the major events for thinking about the future of the industry.

A space for exchange, innovation and pan-African cooperation

The objective of SIMA remains unchanged: to structure, professionalize and promote the African music ecosystem.
The 2025 edition focused on three main areas:

• Economic challenges : artist compensation, digital distribution, copyright.

  

• Opportunities for innovation AI, streaming, monetization tools, African platforms.

• International cooperation : continental collaborations, attractiveness of African talent, export of African music.

Several panels brought together experts from West Africa, Central Africa and the diasporas, allowing them to address concrete issues: career management, digital strategy, music synchronization for film and series, and structural financing.

A strong Ivorian presence

Ivory Coast, driven by the dynamism of the urban scene and the rise of its independent labels, was particularly well represented.
Ivorian managers, beatmakers, artists and cultural entrepreneurs took part in masterclasses on:

• the export of Coupé-Décalé and Afro-Zouglou,

• inter-country collaborations,

• the rise of Ivorian rap,

• the growing importance of African digital platforms.

The Ivorian presence testified to the vitality of a scene that now influences continental music.

Significant innovations and announcements

The 2025 edition was also marked by:

✔ The launch of new training programs

Incubators dedicated to music industry professions (management, sound, production) have announced their upcoming establishment in several African capitals.

✔ Strategic B2B meetings

Labels, distributors, and digital platforms took advantage of the networking sessions to lay the groundwork for new regional collaborations.

✔ Highlighting emerging artists

Showcases have allowed a new generation of artists from Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal to present their performances in front of professionals.

Cotonou, the new capital of creative industries?

By hosting SIMA, Benin confirms its ambition to become a major cultural hub. Modern infrastructure, the commitment of the authorities, and the energy of Beninese youth gave this edition a dynamic that was greatly appreciated by the participants.

The choice of Cotonou is not insignificant: the city is increasingly establishing itself as a crossroads for creators in West Africa, between Lagos, Lomé and Abidjan.

A very positive outcome for the African music industry

With fully booked workshops, constructive discussions, and fruitful professional networking opportunities, the PASS 2025 concludes with an encouraging outcome.
The shared desire to structure the sector, professionalize the players and accelerate regional integration suggests a promising future for African music.

In two days, SIMA highlighted the importance of creating spaces dedicated to dialogue and innovation in African music.
Between the rise of digital platforms, the explosion of local talent and strengthened cooperation between countries, African industry is entering a new era – dynamic, ambitious and resolutely future-oriented.