Marrakech – Visa For Music will return for its 12th edition in Rabat from Nov.19 to 22.
The event is organized and produced by Anya Culture and Atlas Azawan, with the support of Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Regional Council, the Hiba Foundation, and BMDAV. The festival once again cements itself as Africa’s leading music market and showcase event.
Last year’s edition drew over 16,000 attendees, 400 artists, and 1,100 professionals from 87 countries.
This year, the four-day festival promises to be even bigger, bringing together more than 500 artists and 1,000 industry professionals for a vibrant celebration of African and global sounds.
Since its creation, Visa For Music has championed youth empowerment, gender equality, and cultural exchange.
The event offers free access for young professionals and students, ensuring inclusivity at every level.
Women represent at least 30% of participating professionals, reflecting the festival’s commitment to balanced representation both on stage and behind the scenes.
The 2025 edition will kick off with a grand urban parade on November 19, followed by an opening ceremony featuring standout showcases and the VFM Awards, honoring legendary figures in African music.
From Thursday to Saturday, the esplanade of Théâtre Mohammed V will host free musical performances, inviting everyone to experience the rhythm of Rabat.
Across various stages, including Théâtre Mohammed V, Salle Bahnini, Cinéma Renaissance, and the Chellah, festivalgoers can enjoy 30 live showcases and 12 electro showcases, alongside fanfares and traditional ensembles animating the city streets.
In honor of the 50th independence anniversaries of several Lusophone African countries, Visa For Music 2025 shines a light on voices from Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Guinea-Bissau, including Selma Uamusse, Maura Delgado, and Tabanka Djaz.
This year’s lineup also spans the continent, featuring artists from the DRC, Nigeria, Botswana, and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a dynamic Maghreb and Middle Eastern electro scene with acts from Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, and beyond.
Moroccan talent remains central to the festival’s DNA, with names like Lotfi E., 21Tach, Saad Tiouly, Omar Hayat, Nashwa, Aza, Sami Galbi, Yasmina Karrum, and SODFA among the homegrown stars performing this year.
Beyond the music, Visa For Music stands as a major professional platform—a marketplace for artists, producers, and cultural institutions to connect and collaborate.
Highlights include:
- A professional forum with panels, workshops, and masterclasses.
- The Expostand Exhibition Area, bringing together 50+ international festivals, labels, and institutions.
- Speed meetings and B2B sessions designed to spark global partnerships.
Together, these create an essential ecosystem for the future of the African and Middle Eastern music industries.
Complementing the main showcases, the OFF program will offer intimate concerts, artistic residencies, partner events, networking breakfasts, and cultural side events, all designed to extend the experience beyond the festival stages.
LIVE SHOWCASES: Lotfi E. (Morocco), Selma Uamusse (Mozambique), Maura Delgado (Cape Verde), Tabanka Djaz (Guinea-Bissau), Nashwa (Morocco/Belgium), Bantu (Nigeria), Kin Orchestra (DRC), 21Tach (Morocco), Dato Seiko (Botswana), Omar Hayat (Morocco), Sami Galbi (Switzerland/Morocco).
ELECTRO SHOWCASES: SODFA, Saladeduchef, Yasmina Karrum, Aziz Konkrite, Laps de Temps, Aïchoucha, Tobi Peter, Isam Elias.
TRADITIONAL ENSEMBLES: IFè Brass Band (Benin), Ballet National Djoliba (Guinea), Orchestre Bana Bateke (Congo).
