Cotonou decides for African music: SIMA opens its professional days, AI and women in the spotlight

Cotonou (Benin), November 12, 2026. They are artists, producers, platform executives, investors and cultural decision-makers — and for two days, they are thinking together about the future of African music. SIMA, co-founded in 2022 by cultural entrepreneur Mamby Diomandé and artist-producer Pit Baccardi, holds its 3rd edition in Benin, for the second year in a row. Ahead of the professional days, the SIMA Lab. Music residency brought together artists and beatmakers from across the continent, from November 7 to 11, with one goal: producing a collaborative EP.

© SIMA

AI and copyright: protecting creators

First highlight: the Pan-African Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Copyright, organised with CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers. The challenge is collective: responding to the upheavals of generative AI and defending African creators' revenues. The work is expected to lead to a “Cotonou Declaration”, which Benin aims to bring before the African Union in 2027.

The women of the industry launch their network

Another first, officially launched this November 12: the first Network of Women in the Music Industry in sub-Saharan Africa. Visibility, representation, professional opportunities: the network aims to give the women of the sector the place their contribution deserves, with the presentation of a study on their place in the Nigerian music industry and a pilot support programme.

Artists and decision-makers at the same table

The announced figures speak to the ambition of the gathering: A'Salfo, Tiakola, Suspect 95, Hiro and Singuila on the artists' side; Angelo Gopée, head of Live Nation France and of Midem, on the industry side. Panels and B2B meetings take on the big issues: monetisation, artist mobility, financing and catalogue management. And on November 14, the fair extends into a tourism circuit with Benin Tourism, discovering the heritage of the host country.