Some of Africa's most recognisable names and heavyweights in entertainment, including Annie Macauley, Swanky Jerry, Qing Madi, Phina, Levixone, Makhadzi, Ariel Shenney, Kaffy, Lil Saako, and Olisa Adibua, have been confirmed for Showbiz101 2026, a seven-day creative industry programme.
Event Details
Organised by bridgeAFRIC and set for Lagos, the programme will run from June 23 to 30, bringing together artistes, executives, and industry decision-makers from across the continent and beyond for workshops, masterclasses, music production camps, networking sessions, and cultural activities.
According to the organisers, the sessions will be held at Alliance Française, Ikoyi, while a private creative hub equipped with studios, media lounges, and collaborative spaces will host the music camp component of the programme.
Organiser's Statement
Speaking on the 2026 edition, bridgeAFRIC founder Victoria Remi Nkong said the event will be its most impactful yet, adding that the confirmed panel is a cross-continental blend of talent and industry influence.
“Headlining names include actress and entrepreneur Annie Macauley, celebrity stylist Swanky Jerry, singer Qing Madi, choreographer Kaffy, veteran broadcaster Olisa Adibua, filmmaker Clarence Peters, and actress Yvonne Jegede.
“International voices joining the lineup include Makhadzi, Levixone, Lil Saako, Wendy Harawa, and Eric Bellamy of Live Nation France, alongside AFRIMA President Mike Dada, among many others,” Nkong said.
Programme Schedule
The week-long schedule opens on June 23 with arrivals and media interviews, followed by workshops and a welcome party on June 24. Music creation sessions and masterclasses run from June 25 to 27, with a listening party on June 28 showcasing records produced during the camp. The programme wraps up with networking and cultural activities through June 30.
New Initiative: Amplify.Her
According to Nkong, one of the standout additions to this year's edition is 'Amplify.Her', a female-focused initiative developed in partnership with Institut Français de Paris and the French government, designed to support women in music across Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon through mentorship, financial literacy, and studio access.
Now in its fourth edition since launching as a virtual programme in 2020, Showbiz101 has grown steadily into one of the continent's premier creative industry gatherings. Nkong said her passion for the work is rooted in a simple belief: Africa's talented youth need education, mentorship, and investment to build sustainable careers.
