The 9th edition of the Rencontres Musicales Africaines (REMA) is set to take place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from October 21 to 24, 2026. The event was announced during a press conference held on September 28, 2026, in Ouagadougou. This year's theme is "Followers, from passive to active," which aims to explore the economic value of online communities in the music industry. The event will feature conferences, workshops, and showcases, with a focus on converting social media interactions into actual music consumption.
The REMA 2026 event will be held at the Centre culturel du Faso, marking a change from previous editions. The traditional REMA Welcome Night has been replaced with a grand launch evening dedicated to music. The event will also feature a new format, Focus Burkina, which will showcase Burkinabè artists. This new format is designed to promote and discover local talent. Additionally, the event will include two concert nights, offering a more extensive musical experience for attendees.
The event's promoter, Alif Naaba, also known as Noura Mohamed Kaboré, explained that the theme is designed to explore ways to transform social media interactions into actual music consumption. He emphasized the importance of online communities in validating and promoting music. The event aims to provide a platform for artists to connect with their audience and for attendees to engage with the music industry.
The REMA 2026 event will also feature a forum on artificial intelligence, titled "Forum IA," which will discuss the impact of AI on music creation, industry, and rights. The forum, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, will bring together national and international experts to share insights and solutions. The forum will take place on October 22, 2026.
To facilitate access to the event program, the organizers have developed the REMA App, available for download on Google Play and App Store. The app will provide attendees with a comprehensive program of events, allowing them to plan their schedule according to their interests. The event is expected to be a significant success, with a focus on youth and exchange.
The REMA event has received support from the European Union for the past three years. According to Inga Stefanowicz, head of partnerships at the EU in Burkina Faso, the support is part of the EU's efforts to promote culture and youth. The EU's objectives are transversal, aiming to have a positive impact on the country's youth.
Since its inception in 2018, the REMA event has attracted 121 participating countries, 818 participants, 134 programmed artists, 106 invited experts, and 27 panels and conferences. The 9th edition of REMA is under the patronage of the Minister of Culture, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo.
Key points
- The 9th edition of REMA will focus on converting social media interactions into actual music consumption.
- The event will feature a new format, Focus Burkina, showcasing Burkinabè artists.
- A forum on artificial intelligence will be held during the event to discuss its impact on the music industry.
