Applications are now open for the Accra edition of Martell Swift Academy, a pan-African talent development programme designed to support emerging music creatives and industry professionals in Ghana’s capital.
The initiative, created by the cognac house Martell and curated by Africa House, was announced on 27 October 2026. It targets artists, producers, songwriters, DJs, managers, creative directors and other music visionaries based in Accra who are actively developing projects and seeking to advance their careers.
Applications opened on 27 October and close on 6 November 2026. Participation is free, subject to terms and conditions. Selected participants will take part in a structured programme that combines practical learning, direct mentorship, industry access, collaboration and ongoing creative development.
The Accra edition requires availability between 22 November and 19 December 2026.
Every participant is expected to receive professional tools tailored to their needs, mentorship from established figures, access to a peer network and a development grant. Mentors confirmed for the Accra cohort include DJ and producer Juls, artist Gyakie, rapper, songwriter and producer Manifest, manager and music executive Therese Ohemaa Akua Jones, and music journalist, event curator and iMullar founder Maxwell Adjevon.
The Accra Programme
The Accra programme follows the inaugural Nairobi edition, which concluded earlier in October 2026. That four-week programme supported 25 emerging creatives and professionals. It featured mentorship, studio sessions, masterclasses and networking, ending with a showcase of live performances and collaborative work. Participants in Nairobi continued to receive virtual check-ins after the in-person phase.
Swift Academy was launched by Martell in August 2026 as a continental platform. Its stated aim is to identify, develop and connect the next generation of African music creatives and professionals with the expertise, relationships and opportunities needed for sustainable careers.
The programme plans to support 100 emerging talents in its first year, beginning in Kenya and expanding to other key markets, including Accra in 2026, with Johannesburg and Lagos scheduled later.
Martell has framed the academy as a response to the rapid growth of African music. Sub-Saharan Africa’s recorded music market reached an estimated $120 million in 2025 after consecutive years of double-digit growth.
Officials note that while global attention on African artists has increased, supporting infrastructure for emerging talent has not always kept pace.
Lanre Odutola, Head of Culture and Partnerships at Martell, previously described the platform as a way to give creatives access to knowledge, networks and practical support that can strengthen their skills and confidence. Africa House co-founder Jade Kelly Wilson has said the academy extends the organisation’s work of connecting existing talent across the continent with ecosystems that allow it to grow beyond local markets.
Relevance of the Accra Call
The Accra call specifically seeks individuals who are already building and ready to push the culture forward, whether through composing, producing, managing or working behind the scenes. Applicants must be based in Accra. Those outside the city are advised not to apply through the current form, as editions for other locations will open later.
The online application requires personal details, information about current projects or work, and links to portfolios or relevant material. Organisers emphasise that the programme is designed for people with active initiatives they wish to develop further during the academy period.
Swift Academy positions itself as more than a short training course. Participants gain access to a wider network of peers and collaborators across markets, along with continued support after the core programme.
The combination of grants, tools, mentorship and industry exposure is intended to help bridge gaps between creative ambition and professional sustainability.
Ghana’s music scene has produced internationally recognised artists and a vibrant local ecosystem of producers, managers and creatives. The Accra edition arrives at a moment when both established and emerging voices continue to shape the broader African and global music landscape.
By bringing experienced local mentors together with selected participants, the programme seeks to strengthen pathways within that ecosystem.
Applications are open through the official Martell Swift Academy Accra portal. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the full criteria and terms before submitting. Selection will focus on emerging talent ready to engage fully with the mentorship and collaborative elements of the programme.
As the November deadline approaches, the Accra cohort will form the second chapter of Swift Academy’s continental rollout. The Nairobi experience demonstrated a model of intensive, mentor-led development ending in public presentation of progress.
Organisers aim to replicate and adapt that approach for Ghanaian participants, contributing to a growing network of creatives connected across African music markets.
The initiative reflects a broader trend of brand-supported programmes seeking to invest in creative infrastructure rather than one-off activations. For applicants in Accra, it offers a defined window of access to expertise, resources and relationships that may otherwise remain difficult to secure.
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