African musicians losing millions without IP protection, says US
Despite an 'insatiable appetite for African music', insufficient IP protection means artists are missing out on revenues, the US says.
African musicians and artists are losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to insufficient intellectual property (IP) protection, according to a statement from the United States. Katherine Hiner, IP attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa at the US Patent and Trademark Office, revealed that Kenya and Nigeria collectively lose $286 million in recorded revenue each year.
In 2025, Sub-Saharan African (SSA) music revenue surged by 22.6%, more than five times the global average of 4.8%, with South Africa contributing three-quarters of the region's revenue. However, African nations still capture only 1 to 2% of the global music industry's earnings.
Hiner emphasized that strengthening regulatory and legal systems is crucial for musicians to realize the full value of their work. She pointed out that SSA markets have experienced double-digit growth for the past five consecutive years, but there is still significant potential left untapped. Hiner believes that IP protection will play a pivotal role in future growth of the creative industries in the region.
She highlighted the need for robust cross-border IP protection, which requires a solid legal foundation backed by strong political commitment. This includes consistent laws that are recognized across borders, particularly in a digital marketplace where artists should have reasonable expectations of similar legal frameworks.
The US advocates for global IP treaties, contrasting with the Trump administration's skepticism towards multilateral agreements. Hiner suggested that African governments should consider ratifying the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. These international agreements offer legal structures to ensure artists are adequately compensated for their work, encompassing technical protection measures (TPMs) and rights management information (RMI).
TPMs and RMI are essential for the development of digital distribution models such as streaming and digital downloads, enabling artists to monetize their music even in regions where traditional distribution channels are lacking.
The US government launched an "IP for Growth" initiative, a year-long program designed to demonstrate how robust IP protection and enforcement can empower the creative economy across Africa. To facilitate this, Hiner organized a workshop in the US Consulate General in Lagos, gathering over 120 IP policymakers, legal experts, music industry professionals, artists, producers, distributors, and other creative stakeholders.
A similar workshop took place in Johannesburg. Hiner noted that the creative economy is expanding rapidly, with a growing global appetite for African music, presenting an opportunity to drive economic growth. She is collaborating with various stakeholders, including governments and creative industries, to bolster IP frameworks, ensuring that rights holders can fully participate and benefit from this burgeoning sector.
Written by urgent.news from Africa Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
