Kilele Summit 2025: Five days of music technology and innovation in Nairobi

Last February, Santuri East Africa, with the support of Africalia, organized the 2025 edition of the Kilele Summit in Nairobi. The only summit in East Africa dedicated to music technology and innovation, the second edition of this event was packed with activities, such as workshops, panel discussions, and conferences, as well as installations, performances, and screenings. The audience was able to discover firsthand how the Kenyan musical landscape is a true engine of social innovation.

Kilele Summit

Santuri East Africa, the organization behind the Kilele Summit, describes the event as “a space dedicated to bold music and culture, fostering exchanges, collaborations, and innovations.” From February 18 to 22, The Mall in Nairobi transformed into a meeting place to discuss the future of music in East Africa. Over the course of five days, Kilele welcomed musicians, producers, technologists, activists, and even academic researchers for a celebration of innovative practices in the music industry. Artists on the bill included internationally renowned musicians as well as creatives from underground collectives. As an organization primarily focused on community advocacy, Santuri East Africa emphasized inclusivity and diversity at the summit.

Following a successful first edition in 2024, the 2025 edition was also a hit. Over five days, the summit welcomed no fewer than 2,400 visitors, who came to enjoy dynamic musical performances, broaden their horizons during informative panel discussions, or let off steam to the rhythm of unique DJ sets. With 87 artists and participants from 20 countries, the Kilele Summit clearly demonstrated that technology and innovation in the music industry transcend national borders and have the power to bring people together.

Santuri East Africa and Africalia

Santuri East Africa is a community-driven music innovation hub that strives to make the music industry more equitable, authentic, and diverse. Africalia has partnered with Santuri East Africa as part of theinitiative to support ten cultural initiatives in Nairobi. Following a call for proposals for cultural projects in Nairobi County by the end of 2024, Santuri East Africa's project to organize the second edition of the Kilele Summit was selected. By supporting the organization of innovative events such as this one, Africalia aims to unlock the tremendous potential of Kenya's cultural sector and its vibrant creative scene, strengthen the network of creators, and expand access to culture.

Santuri East Africa's Kilele Summit is the first of ten projects supported by Africalia to have seen the light of day. Stay tuned for the latest news on upcoming activities!