In a historic collision of ancestral rhythms and cutting-edge code, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has announced the five winners of the AI & African Music Project. This first-of-its-kind initiative is designed to ensure that as the world moves toward an AI-driven future, African music creators are leading the innovation rather than just consuming it.
Supported by US-based music mogul and Wits alumnus Charles Goldstuck, the project pairs visionary African artists with top-tier AI engineers to develop tools that preserve, create, and revolutionize the continent’s sonic heritage.
Innovation in Every Note: The Five Winning Teams
The selection process was grueling, with over 150 artists from 20 countries vying for a spot. The final five projects represent a diverse range of cultures and technological applications:
- Umlilo (SA) & Gideon Gyimah (Ghana): Developing “Zazi,” a musical digital twin that interacts in real-time through voice and rhythm—effectively a digital mirror of the artist’s creative soul.
- Joshua Kroon (Cameroon) & Emmanuel Apetsi (Ghana): Creating “The Bɛ̀bɛ̀i Engine,” an AI instrument designed to preserve the endangered polyphonic traditions of the Baka community.
- Ehinome Ogbeide (Nigeria) & Muhigiri Ashuza Albin (DRC): Launching “Bina.ai,” an AI-driven platform for children’s music and storytelling, grounded in African early-learning principles.
- Linda Nyabundi (Kenya) & Gebregziabihier Nigusie (Ethiopia): Building “Heritage in Code,” a fusion tool that archives African instrumental heritage while ensuring royalties are paid to original contributors.
- Tora Nyamosi (Kenya) & Lawrence Moruye (Kenya): Crafting “TIMah AI,” a secure archive for Kikuyu traditional music that uses AI to handle transcriptions and community consent.
The Powerhouse Behind the Project
This initiative is a strategic collaboration between the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) and the Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute. It signals a major shift in the global AI narrative—moving from AI as a “threat” to AI as a tool for cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
The project is also backed by Billboard US and Billboard Africa, ensuring these local innovations receive a global stage. Furthermore, it strengthens the decade-long bond between Wits and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) through the MIT-Africa Program.
Save the Date: The April Showcase
The world will get its first taste of these prototypes on 16 April 2026 at the Chris Seabrooke Music Hall at Wits. The showcase will prove that African-led innovation isn’t just about catching up—it’s about redefining the future of creative technology.
“Africa is demonstrating how culture, ethics, and community-led design can redefine the future of artificial intelligence.” — Wits University Statement
