Emerging music creatives and professionals in Nairobi now have an opportunity to sharpen their skills, connect with industry leaders, and access new opportunities through the first edition of Swift Academy, a pan-African talent development platform created by Martell and curated by Africa House.
Applications are now open for the Nairobi edition of the programme, which is designed to support emerging artists and music industry professionals through mentorship, practical development, industry access and collaboration.
The programme will bring together 25 selected participants for an experience that combines practical learning, mentorship, industry connections, collaboration, and continued creative development.
All in-person Swift Academy activities will take place in Nairobi.
However, participants are expected to make their own arrangements for attending the programme.
Martell and Africa House will not provide or reimburse travel, accommodation, meals, local transportation or any other expenses incurred by participants travelling to or staying in Nairobi in connection with the programme.
Selected participants will therefore be responsible for making and funding their own arrangements to attend all required programme activities.
Who can apply for Swift Academy?
The Nairobi edition is open to emerging artists, producers, songwriters and music industry professionals based in Nairobi.
A total of 25 participants will be selected to take part in the programme, allowing them to learn directly from established figures in the music and creative industries while building relationships with fellow creatives.
The Academy is structured around hands-on learning and professional development, with participants gaining access to mentorship, practical workshops, industry conversations and networking opportunities.
Participation in the programme is free, subject to the applicable Terms and Conditions.
How to apply for Swift Academy
Interested applicants can apply by completing the online application form. Applications close on August 28, 2026.
The application and participation process is free, although selected participants will be responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, meals, local transportation and other expenses related to attending the programme.
What participants can expect
Those selected for the Swift Academy will receive a range of opportunities designed to support their individual creative and professional development.
Each participant will receive professional tools tailored to their development needs, direct mentorship from industry experts, access to a network of peers and collaborators across four markets, and a grant.
The programme is designed to go beyond traditional classroom-style learning by giving participants direct access to professionals working across different areas of the music and creative industries.
The Nairobi edition will feature mentors including Bensoul, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; Monica Kemoli, music and culture executive; Anyiko Owoko, music publicist and curator; Njerae, singer, songwriter and producer; and Joey Akan, music journalist and cultural commentator.
Their participation will expose the selected creatives to different perspectives and experiences across music, culture, publicity, journalism, songwriting, production and the wider creative economy.
Workshops, panels and networking
In addition to mentorship, the Swift Academy programme will include practical workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
The practical component is intended to help participants apply what they learn directly to their creative work, while the networking sessions will provide opportunities to connect with other emerging creatives, mentors and industry professionals.
Following the initial Swift Academy experience, participants will also gain access to a creative hub for an additional three weeks.
The extended creative hub period will allow participants to continue developing their work, put lessons from the Academy into practice and collaborate with other participants.
The programme will ultimately culminate in a showcase celebrating the participants’ progress, allowing the creatives to present the growth and work developed during the experience.
Building Africa’s next generation of music talent
The launch of Swift Academy in Nairobi comes at a time when African music and culture continue to attract growing global attention.
By bringing together emerging creatives and established industry professionals, the programme aims to create an environment where young talent can develop both creatively and professionally while building relationships that can extend beyond the Academy.
The pan-African nature of the initiative is also reflected in the opportunity for participants to connect with a network of peers and collaborators across four markets.
For emerging creatives, such access can provide opportunities to exchange ideas, collaborate across disciplines and build connections beyond their immediate creative circles.
The programme’s combination of mentorship, professional tools, practical learning, grants and continued access to a creative hub is designed to give participants support beyond a single event or workshop.
