The United States has warned that African musicians are losing millions of dollars in potential revenue because of weak intellectual property (IP) protection, calling for stronger copyright enforcement across the continent.
U.S. officials said inadequate protection of music copyrights, widespread piracy and limited royalty collection systems continue to deprive artists of earnings from streaming, broadcasting, live performances and digital distribution.
The remarks came during discussions on the growth of Africa’s creative economy, where officials stressed that stronger intellectual property frameworks are essential to ensuring musicians and other creators receive fair compensation for their work.
According to the U.S., improving copyright enforcement would not only increase artists’ incomes but also attract greater investment into Africa’s rapidly expanding music industry, which has gained global recognition in recent years.
Officials also encouraged governments to modernize copyright laws, strengthen enforcement agencies and improve cooperation with digital platforms to combat piracy and unauthorized use of creative content.
Africa’s music industry has experienced significant international growth, driven by genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano and Bongo Flava. However, industry stakeholders say many artists continue to struggle to monetize their work because of copyright infringement and weak licensing systems.
Analysts note that stronger intellectual property protection could help unlock billions of dollars in economic value, create jobs across the creative sector and encourage further innovation.
The U.S. said supporting intellectual property rights remains a key part of fostering sustainable growth in Africa’s creative industries, while urging governments, collecting societies and technology companies to work together to ensure artists receive the royalties they are owed.
