Nandy festival 2026 heads to Kigoma after strong Shinyanga kickoff

What started as a dream for a young girl from Tanzania has grown into one of the country’s most recognizable music success stories.

This year, singer and songwriter Nandy is marking a major milestone with the launch of Nandy Festival 2026, a celebration of her 10-year journey in the music industry.

The festival officially kicked off in Shinyanga, drawing thousands of fans to ShyCom Grounds for a night of music, entertainment, and celebration.

The opening stop set the tone for what organisers describe as a touring festival experience, with the next edition now set to take place in Kigoma.

Tanzanian singer Nandy reveals why she would decline signing with international record labels

Award-winning Tanzanian singer Nandy has opened up about her decision to remain independent, revealing that she would decline an opportunity to sign with even the biggest international record labels.

Speaking in an interview on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Nandy said her experience in the industry has convinced her that strategic partnerships work better for her than traditional record label deals.

The singer explained that while she acknowledges the important role partners and investors can play in an artiste’s career, she believes she has reached a stage where signing under a label would add little value to her music journey.

“I believe that partners have a big contribution to a musician’s career, but I don’t think that where I am now, I can have partners,” she said.

Drawing from her years in the music industry, the singer noted that she no longer sees herself gaining anything new from signing with a record label.

“Based on my small experience, even when I am signed by partners, I believe there isn’t anything new I will see or gain,” she added.

Instead, Nandy revealed that she prefers working with professionals on contractual agreements tailored to specific roles rather than handing over her career to a label.

She explained that the people she collaborates with do not necessarily have to be around her all the time, as each partnership is guided by clearly agreed responsibilities and targets.

“As I proceed, I have people who I am working with, and they don’t need to be with me all the time. For example, Roger, who is here, can take me and we have a partnership and an agreement where maybe we say I need him to hold my hand and push my content,” she explained.

Nandy, Abigail Chams join Africa Forward Summit lineup in Nairobi

Nandy and Abigail Chams are set to perform at the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi, marking a strong Tanzanian presence at one of the continent’s leading policy and cultural gatherings.

The two artistes will appear at Africa Forward: Le Concert, scheduled for May 12 in Nairobi. Presented by Safaricom in partnership with Trace, the concert serves as the cultural centrepiece of the summit, which brings together African leaders, investors and innovators to discuss the continent’s future, with growing focus on the influence of creative industries.

Nandy’s new label comes with fortunes

THE government has revived the arts and culture fund that provides loans to artists wishing to develop their works to the global level. VisualArt & Design

This was revealed by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Arts and Sports, Pauline Gekul on Thursday this week when she graced the opening ceremony along with an introduction of new artists in the African Princess Label under Faustina Mfinanga, whose artistic name is Nandy.

During the occasion, Faustina Mfinanga revealed Yasirun Shaba as the new artist introduced to the label who Nandi said has a bright future in her music career.

The ceremony was also attended by the National Executive Secretary Kedmon Mapana and various artists as well as culture and arts stakeholders.

Deputy Minister Gekul applauded the organiser of the label for supporting upcoming artists to fulfill their dreams.

She added that the Ministry will also contribute by providing loans to them as a major support in developing their work.

“I commend Faustina for coming up with the idea of organising this label that aims to promote female artists with talents; therefore, we as the Ministry, will support her by providing loans to them whereby it will be a privilege to advertise their work worldwide,” she said.

While addressing this, she also asked other culture and arts stakeholders to empower youths in promoting their works globally.

On his part, the National Arts Council Executive Secretary, Kedmon Mapana urged Nandy to increase her efforts and creativity in bringing out more young women with talents but also to consider the interests of artists including the issue of contracts. VisualArt & Design

On her part, Nandy thanked the government and the stakeholders of culture and arts for receiving well the works of the upcoming artist.

The artist known as Yammi has come up with an EP called ‘Three Hearts’ with a combination of three songs including ‘Tunapendezana’ and many more.