SA hosts landmark music summit as IFPI boosts performance rights in Africa

Spanning two days of focused dialogue and strategy, the conference brought together key stakeholders from across the region, including record labels, Music Licensing Companies (MLCs), Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), and representatives of the recording industry. Building on the momentum of the 2024 edition held in Dar es Salaam, this year’s summit served as both a strategic checkpoint and a forward-thinking platform for performance rights development across the continent.

A central part of the agenda involved reviewing the implementation of resolutions adopted at the previous summit, presenting progress reports from national MLCs, and exploring new collaborative strategies to enhance performance rights management. As Africa’s music economy continues its rapid expansion and global influence, the conference aimed to unlock further market potential through cutting-edge rights administration, regional alignment, and the adoption of international best practices.

Focus on innovation and infrastructure

A media roundtable curated by Angela Ndambuki, IFPI regional director for Sub-Saharan Africa, proved to be a highlight of the summit. The session brought together leading figures from across the music ecosystem to discuss the future of performance rights in Africa. Among the panellists were Manusha Sarawan (Universal Music Group), Oliver Laouchez (Trace Awards), Sean Watson (Sony Music Entertainment Africa), Rob Cowling (Gallo Music Group), independent artist Brenda Mntambo, and Nhlanhla Sibisi (Recording Industry of South Africa).

The discussion yielded a resounding consensus: sustainable growth in Africa’s music sector hinges on greater investment in research, innovation, and digital infrastructure. The panel stressed the urgency of equipping performance rights systems to meet the demands of a fast-evolving, digital-first global music economy.

Milestone agreement for regional cooperation

The conference also witnessed a significant step towards strengthening cross-border collaboration in rights administration. SAMPRA CEO Pfanani Lishivha signed a landmark bilateral agreement with Maurice Okoth of Kenya’s KAMP Copyright and Related Rights Ltd. The agreement aims to ensure that performance rights revenues collected in Kenya will be successfully remitted by the end of the second quarter. This move marks a tangible commitment to pan-African solidarity and underlines the importance of strategic partnerships and advocacy to unlock the full economic and creative potential of the continent.

A call for compliance and artist empowerment

Prominent music executive Luthando Ngcizela, best known for his work with the Jaziel Brothers, delivered a powerful message to stakeholders. Speaking with passion, he urged users of sound recordings to comply with licence fee payments and called on artists to act as ambassadors for educating users about their role in the performance rights value chain. He emphasised that such efforts are essential to ensuring that rights holders benefit from the industry’s evolving frameworks and that long-term sustainability is achieved.

In her closing remarks, Ndambuki reiterated the importance of continuity and innovation in tackling the region’s music industry challenges. She acknowledged the significant strides made in stakeholder alignment and partnership-building while calling for improved data management, enhanced rights enforcement, and a unified approach to ensuring fair compensation for rights holders.

“The foundation has been laid,” said Ndambuki, “but it is now our collective responsibility to build on this momentum, to create an ecosystem where African artists are not only celebrated but also adequately rewarded for their contributions.”