The Moroccan capital prepares to host the 13th edition of the acclaimed festival and trade fair, bringing together 500 artists and 1,000 industry professionals from across the globe.
Wednesday 11/11/2026
RABAT — Rabat is preparing to vibrate to the rhythm of African and Middle Eastern music as the Moroccan capital prepares to host the 13th edition of Visa For Music, the premier festival and professional market dedicated to the music of the African continent and the Middle East on November 18-21.
Over four days, the event will bring together 500 artists and nearly 1,000 Moroccan and international industry professionals, with a packed programme across four of the capital’s stages alongside an important professional forum dedicated to the challenges facing the music industry today.
The festivities will kick off on November 18, with a lively urban parade, followed by an official opening ceremony at the Mohammed V National Theatre.
Audiences will then have the chance to attend dozens of showcase performances across four venues: the Mohammed V National Theatre, the Salle Bahnini, the National Higher Institute of Music and Choreographic Arts (INSMAC), and the Chellah stage, which is dedicated specifically to electronic music.
This edition aims to celebrate the diversity of the international music scene, with artists traveling from Belgium, Congo, India, Haiti, Senegal, Italy, Canada, Tunisia, and South Africa, among other nations. Highlights of the international lineup include Siân Pottok, Erol Josué, Mariaa Siga, Enzo Avitabile, Moonshine, and Taroug.
The Moroccan Scene at the Heart of the Programme
Moroccan creation and its diaspora are also heavily featured this year. The showcases will spotlight Meryem Aboulouafa, Sara Moullablad, and the electro-Gnawa project Gnawatronic, led by Omary & Hind Ennaira.
Additionally, the “Focus Maroc” initiative will present four projects from the national scene: R2D, JBIINA, ONZY JAZZBAR, and YVZID. This strong representation aligns with the festival’s mission to boost the visibility of Moroccan artists and help them connect with international professional networks.
A Gateway for Music Industry Professionals
Beyond the concerts, Visa For Music is designed as a vibrant space for networking and professional development. Artists, producers, promoters, record labels, booking agencies, and cultural institutions will gather for a Forum, a trade fair featuring over 30 exhibitors, and B2B meetings.
“Speed meeting” sessions will allow artists and their teams to pitch their projects directly to programmers and explore new touring and distribution opportunities.
The Forum will address several pressing issues currently shaping the music industry, including the mobility of artists, the role of festivals in local communities, access to international markets, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on creativity.
Among the highly anticipated sessions are the conferences: “Between Authenticity and Trends: Musical Creation in the Era of Algorithms” and “From Local Stages to European Markets: Building an International Tour”.
Artificial Intelligence Take Centre Stage
Technology will be a key focus of this edition, featuring workshops on music production and the use of artificial intelligence on Ableton Live.
Professionals will also have opportunities to refine the international presentation of their projects, artistic identity, and stage presence. Masterclasses will cover distribution strategies as well as the structuring of African music industries, with a special focus on the case of Cameroon.
Having received over 900 applications from 92 countries, Visa For Music confirms its status as a vital platform for discovery, networking, and the mobility of artists.
The 2026 edition will showcase a total of 40 artistic projects, including four groups participating in the urban parade. The festival also includes a fringe “OFF” programme to extend discussions on topics like the “discoverability” of artists and the circulation of music in African professional markets.
Since its inception, Visa For Music has championed youth, diversity, and female representation. Access to activities is free for young Moroccan professionals and those from the diaspora, with student rates and cultural mediation initiatives also available.
From November 18 to 21, Rabat will serve as a dynamic meeting point for artistic creation, the music industry, and international exchange, with one clear goal: to amplify the global reach of African and Middle Eastern talent.
