Twenty-five emerging creatives and music professionals have completed the inaugural Nairobi edition of Martell Swift Academy, marking the end of a four-week programme focused on mentorship, collaboration and career development in the music industry.
The programme concluded on October 10, 2026, with a closing showcase that brought together participants, mentors and players in Nairobi’s creative industry for an evening of live performances, networking and presentations highlighting the cohort’s progress.
Created by Martell and curated by Africa House, Swift Academy is a pan-African talent development platform designed to give emerging creatives access to industry knowledge, professional mentorship and relationships that can help them grow their careers.
The Nairobi edition brought together 25 participants drawn from different areas of the music ecosystem, including artists, producers, songwriters and music industry professionals.
Over four weeks, the cohort participated in masterclasses, workshops, breakout mentorship sessions, studio sessions and creative collaborations. They also had opportunities to network with industry figures and apply what they learned in practical settings.
Bensoul, Monica Kemoli and Njerae Among the Mentors
The programme featured mentors from different corners of the music and cultural industries, including singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bensoul, music and culture executive Monica Kemoli, music publicist and curator Anyiko Owoko, singer-songwriter and producer Njerae, and music journalist and cultural commentator Joey Akan.
Through the sessions, participants were encouraged to exchange ideas, develop their skills and build connections with professionals who understand the realities of navigating the music business.
For Martell, the Nairobi edition represents an important step in building stronger pathways for emerging talent across Africa.
“Over the past four weeks, we have seen this cohort build confidence, strengthen their skills and develop meaningful connections with mentors and with one another. The significance of the programme goes beyond what happened in the room during these few weeks. It’s about creating access that can have a lasting impact on how emerging creatives and professionals navigate their careers and contribute to the wider music ecosystem,” said Lanre Odutola, Head of Culture & Partnerships at Martell.
Jade Kelly Wilson Reflects on the Nairobi Cohort
Jade Kelly Wilson, co-founder of Africa House, said watching the participants learn from one another and develop their ideas had been a rewarding part of the programme.
“The journey of this cohort has been incredibly rewarding to watch. They came into the programme from different parts of the music ecosystem, with different ambitions and areas of expertise, and over the four weeks we have seen them learn from one another and challenge themselves. The showcase allowed the participants to demonstrate their individual growth and what they were able to create together,” she said.
The closing showcase provided an opportunity for the cohort to present work developed during the programme while celebrating the relationships and creative partnerships formed along the way.
Swift Academy Mentorship to Continue After Nairobi Showcase
Although the in-person Nairobi programme has concluded, the participants will continue receiving support through virtual check-ins and mentorship.
The continued engagement is intended to help the creatives build on the progress made during the four weeks and maintain the professional relationships established with fellow participants and mentors.
The Nairobi edition also marks the beginning of Swift Academy’s wider pan-African journey, with Accra, Ghana, set to host the next edition as the programme expands into other key African music markets.
For the 25 participants, the closing showcase marks the end of one chapter, with continued mentorship and new industry connections offering opportunities to build on the experience beyond the Academy.
