The second edition of Salon International de la Musique d’Afrique (SIMA) launched in Cotonou on Thursday, November 13. This year's event in Benin marks a return three years after the inaugural edition took place in Côte d’Ivoire.

The second edition of Salon International de la Musique d’Afrique (SIMA) opened in Cotonou, drawing artists and music-industry professionals working to strengthen the region’s music business.

“We can’t yet say there is a real industry here in Benin, but what stands out is the energy,” said Pit Baccardi, the French rapper, producer and SIMA co-founder. “The artists, the public, and the whole ecosystem have incredible energy.”

The first day of the event, held on Thursday at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel, attracted a large audience of artists, professionals and fans who spent the day networking.

“It’s amazing. We’re meeting people we only used to see on TV,” said one attendee. Organizers, however, stressed that turning the region’s talent into a viable business remains the sector’s main challenge.

Industry Structure Needed

This year’s SIMA is themed “Financing and Showcasing Francophone African Music: From Potential to Performance.” Speakers underscored the need for investment and a stronger industry ecosystem.

“We need to turn the creative potential in Francophone Africa, especially in music, into an actual economy,” said William Codjo, Director General of Benin’s Agency for the Development of Arts and Culture. He said talent alone is not enough and that the industry needs financing to grow.

Pit Baccardi said talent in Africa is abundant but lacks commercial visibility due to limited funding. “We need events like this to find solutions and build an economic model for this sector,” he said, adding that progress will come over the long term.

Lionel Talon, promoter of the Eya Community Center and an event partner, said sustained work with young artists is essential. He noted that the Eya Center, which trains youth in music-related professions, joined the initiative to help strengthen professional skills.

Developing New Talent

Ahead of the conference, SIMA held an artistic residency for young Beninese musicians from November 10 to 12. The sessions were led by Ivorian artists Kikimoteleba and Shadocris.

“I came to Benin to share experience and also to learn,” Shadocris said, adding that even established artists benefit from exchanges with younger talent. Kikimoteleba said the residency could inspire new collaborations with local musicians.

Songs produced during the sessions will be presented during SIMA. Organizers say the aim of the second edition is to build momentum by combining creative development with efforts to strengthen the formal music industry.

SIMA Commissioner General Mamby Diomandé said Sub-Saharan Africa generated more than $100 million in music revenues in 2024, but Francophone markets account for less than half of that total. “It’s time to increase the Francophone share,” he said.

Diomandé and other speakers said progress depends on stronger regulation, professional skills, and improvements in areas such as copyright management. Specialists in these fields are scheduled to take part in the conference.

Servan Ahougnon