.....You get to pick your own performance slot
MTN Fintech CEO Sam Shongwe confirmed in March that the second edition of MoMo Xperience generated over E400,000 in economic activity during the event.
This is money that moved through vendors,
food stalls, transport operators and small businesses operating within the
festival grounds.
Shongwe made the announcement at the
official launch of this year's edition, held last month.
“That wasn't just money moving; it was proof
that our community is ready and eager for a digital-first economy,” he said.
The third edition of MoMo Xperience, themed
MoMo World, is now scheduled and is expected to build on that economic
footprint. The event is organised by MTN MoMo in partnership with Melting C and
has established itself as one of Eswatini's most anticipated entertainment
experiences since its debut.
This year's edition will operate as a fully cashless environment, with all transactions processed through the MTN MoMo platform. Attendees will use the platform to pay for food, drinks, merchandise and any services available on the grounds, reinforcing the event's positioning as a practical showcase of digital payments in everyday life.
Last year's event drew over 3,000 attendees. Organisers say the 2026 edition has been designed with families specifically in mind, creating a space that caters to parents and children alongside the usual festival audience.
"To us, MoMo Xperience is not just an
entertainment event we are creating a space that is vibrant and safe, a place
where parents and children can relax and enjoy themselves," Shongwe said.
Meanwhile, the music lineup for this year's
edition spans local and regional talent across multiple genres. South African
acts The Soil, Lloyiso and Sam Deep headline the bill. The Soil are known for
their harmonies rooted in gospel and African folk traditions, while Lloyiso has
built a following across the continent on the strength of his vocals and
songwriting. Sam Deep brings an Afro house sound that has made him a fixture on
regional festival stages.
They will be joined by some of Eswatini's most celebrated performers, including Bholoja, Sanchiezy, Gifted Kosie, Sibu Manzini, Sphiwo Ndoni, Mco Jamrock, Lady Zee, Mistosoul, Sweet Shandis, Its All BlaQ, Fantacy, Paris, Bay Bash and Genes of the Vibe featuring Notik, Mncedisi and Taifoson.
The DJ lineup includes DJ Mbo, Tibza, The Scientists, Sbu De Drum DJ, DJ Bloss and Locco, covering the event from the afternoon through to the early hours of the morning.
Ahead of this year's event, fans were given the opportunity to vote on artist performance schedules through a public process, allowing attendees to directly influence the order in which artists take the stage. Organisers say the voting process drew significant participation.
Beyond the stage, MoMo Xperience has
positioned itself as a platform for vendors and entrepreneurs operating within
the festival ecosystem. The E400,000 in economic activity recorded at last
year's event was generated across that broader ecosystem, not only through
ticket sales. Shongwe said the figure demonstrated the scale of what is
possible when large numbers of people transact in one space over a single day.
"Last year, we welcomed over 3,000
people to this experience, and the energy was unmatched," he said.
"More importantly, we saw over E400,000 in circulation across our business
ecosystem during that period."
MTN Fintech has framed MoMo Xperience as part of a wider ambition to grow digital payment adoption across the region. Shongwe said the event serves as a demonstration of what a cashless economy looks like in practice, at a scale that is visible and accessible to ordinary people.
"At MTN Fintech, our goal is to be the leading fintech platform in Africa. But we know that a platform is only as strong as the people who use it," he said.
Now in its third year, MoMo Xperience has
grown from a music event into what organisers describe as a broader ecosystem, one
that brings together entertainment, commerce and community in a single space.
The fully cashless model, the vendor ecosystem, the family-oriented programming and the fan voting process are all presented as elements of that larger concept.
.....You get pick your own performance slot
Event organiser Culolami Dlamini of Melting
C says fans will have a direct say in how this year's MoMo Xperience lineup is
scheduled, with the public invited to suggest performance time slots for
artists on the bill.
Dlamini said the initiative is open to
everyone and is not limited to the South African acts on the lineup.
"The platform is open for everyone to
suggest time slots for the local artists as well. We want to hear what people
think and how they would like to experience the show," he said.
Among the local performers expected to take
the stage are Bholoja, Sanchiezy, Gifted Kosie, Sibu Manzini, DJ Mbo and Sphiwo
Ndoni, among others.
On the regional side, Sam Deep joins the lineup bringing his energetic Amapiano sound and rising international profile, while The Soil will deliver their signature kasi soul sound, blending rich harmonies, jazz and indigenous rhythms.
Dlamini described fan participation as a key part of the event's success and encouraged music lovers to get involved in the conversation online.
"We are listening to the people. Their suggestions matter and could influence how the final programme looks on the day," he said. MoMo Xperience is expected to attract thousands of music enthusiasts from across the country.
Visit www.smartticket.co.za for your tickets.
Images sourced from MTN MoMo
