ACCES 2018 to address royalty collection challenges in Africa

Royalty collection has been a bone of contention for many years, with artist crying foul over unpaid earnings. The conference session – titled Royalty Collection, Africa's Biggest Enemy? – will feature industry professionals active in the African music copyright and royalty space.

The discussion will seek to offer clarity around areas such as the current legal environment for artists, the roles played by stakeholders in addressing collection and payout challenges, an overview of CISAC’s 2017 report on global collections and the state of royalty collection in Kenya, among others.

The panel discussion will be steered by Kenyan musician and high court advocate Maureen Kunga and present the views of Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) executive director Edward Sigei, CISAC regional director Samuel Sangwa (Rwanda), Kenya Association of Music Producers director Angela Ndambuki and Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music (SACEM) international development officer for Africa Akotchaye Okio (France).

Music In Africa Foundation director Eddie Hatitye says the panel session is significant at a time when most African countries are facing a mountain of royalty collection tribulations.

“The discussion is of paramount importance in Africa. We invite all stakeholders, especially musicians, to come and be part of this important discussion,” he said.

The session, which will be begin at 11.05 am on Friday 16 November 2018, will afford attendants the opportunity to ask pressing questions regarding royalty collection in Africa.

Royalty collection: Africa's continuous challenge

Royalty collection is among the biggest challenges marring the African music industry. It has become a major topic among music creators, many of whom have given up hope of seeing money from their works. In addition, the failure to collect royalties is inextricably connected to piracy, which is often left unchecked in many African countries where copyright laws are either non-existent or not implemented correctly.  

Most African musicians, record label executives and legal professionals have publicly condemned a slew of collective management organisations (CMOs), policymakers and authorities for failing to create a level playing field for music creators.  

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe.

ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit and pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, Alliance Francaise, Kenya’s Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC), MagicalKenya and the Kenya Cultural Centre. 

For more information, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit the ACCES website or download the ACCES 2018 brochure here.