African musicians are losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually because the continent’s rights protection framework is still fragile, a US government official warned on Tuesday.
The Music Economy Development Initiative estimates that Kenya and Nigeria together leave $286 million of recorded revenue uncollected each year.
In 2025, recorded music earnings in Sub‑Saharan Africa rose 22.6%, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, nearly five times the global growth rate of 4.8%.
South Africa contributed roughly three‑quarters of that regional increase, yet the entire continent captures only about 1‑2% of worldwide music income.
US officials say weak rights protection costs African musicians millions
Katherine Hiner, the IP attaché for Sub‑Saharan Africa at the US Patent and Trademark Office, said strengthening regulatory and legal systems is essential for creators to capture the true value of their work.
“SSA markets have grown by double‑digit figures for the past five years in a row – as impressive as those figures are we know there is a lot left on the table, and we believe IP will drive future growth,” Hiner told reporters.
She added that a robust cross‑border framework must be backed by strong political will, noting that “you have to have that framework in place as a starting point to advance the creative industries in the region.”
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Hiner urged African governments to ratify the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty and the Performances and Phonograms Treaty, saying full implementation would give a legal structure for full compensation.
The treaties introduce technical protection measures and rights‑management information, which underpin digital distribution models such as streaming and downloads, allowing performers to monetize songs even where traditional channels are unavailable.
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US artists and record labels could benefit from a more secure environment, as stronger protections would open new licensing opportunities across the continent.
In Lagos, the US Consulate General convened more than 120 policymakers, lawyers, music executives, performers, producers, and distributors for a three‑day workshop on improving the legal framework.
A similar session took place in Johannesburg, where participants examined ways to align national statutes with international standards.
Officials said the next step will be to draft model legislation that can be adapted by individual countries, aiming to close the revenue gap identified in the US assessment.