Music Business Academy, SACEM Partner On Performance Rights in African Music Markets

The Music Business Academy for Africa, in partnership with SACEM, recently hosted a workshop at Mike Adenuga Centre Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi, Lagos, exploring the vital role of Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) in African Francophone and Anglophone music markets.

The event brought together key stakeholders in the African music industry to discuss pressing issues surrounding music rights, royalty collection, and the challenges faced by creators.

The workshop aimed to find solutions to facilitate a smoother and more efficient music industry in these regions.

Godwin Tom, Founder of the Music Business Academy for Africa and Managing Director of Sony Music Publishing, West Africa, delivered the welcome address, setting the stage for insightful discussions on the evolving role of PROs in the continent’s music business.

The workshop featured two sessions, moderated by Victor Ekpo and Nkechukwu Otike-Obidi respectively.

Session 1, moderated by Victor Ekpo, (Senior Legal and Business Manager at Zaeda Oracle), featured in-depth discussions on the significant role PROs play in the African music industry.

Guest speakers including Isioma Alexis Idigbe (Partner, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors), Mayowa Ayilaran (Director-General, Music Copyrights Society of Nigeria, MCSN), Godwin Tom (Managing Director, Sony Music Publishing, West Africa), and Akotchaye Okio (International Development Officer for Africa at SACEM).

They all highlighted cases whereby PROs ensure creators receive fair compensation for their work.

Contributions from representatives of SACEM, COSON, and MCSN further explain the importance of robust legal frameworks in protecting music creators’ rights.

During the Session 2 moderated by Nkechukwu Otike-Obidi, (Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs at Papaya Studios, panelists delved into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by African music creators.

The session explored critical topics such as cross-border licensing, economic disparities, and infrastructure deficiencies affecting royalty collection in both Francophone and Anglophone regions.

A lively debate ensued on bridging the gap between the two markets with input from Kizito, Licensing and Publishing Manager at Mavin Records, Olayinka Ezekiel, Digital Music Commerce and Exchange Ltd, and Chinedu Angus Chukwuji, CEO PurpleBlue Entertainment Solutions Limited.

The workshop highlighted SACEM’s commitment to adding value to authors, composers and music publishers.

The International Development Officer for Africa in SACEM, Akochaye Okio said “We are very enthusiastic about this partnership with MBA for Africa. It will enable SACEM to contribute to empowering the next generation of creators and professionals in Nigeria and bridge the gap between the local industry and the international market.

“By joining forces with MBA for Africa, SACEM confirms its commitment to genuinely strive to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria and Africa so that songwriters, producers and publishers can thrive.

“Music Business Academy for Africa’s partnership with SACEM for this event was a perfect alignment that buttressed their shared vision of adding value to the African music and Entertainment industry.”

Assistant Programme Director of the Music Business Academy for Africa, Pokyes Jan affirmed this, “Our collaboration with SACEM for the workshop on the role of performance rights organizations in Francophone and Anglophone music markets, aims to emphasize our commitment to people, information and opportunities to our alumni and community within the Anglophone and Francophone markets”.

This event was a very important event and the conversations between the stakeholders invited discussed vital details, Kini-Abasi Edet, Head of Operations for the Music Business Academy for Africa echoes.

“The SACEM workshop was a pivotal moment for the Music Business Academy for Africa. The insightful conversations among stakeholders shed light on vital aspects of performance rights organizations and their evolving role in the African music markets. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to equipping talent with the knowledge and networks needed to drive sustainable growth in the industry.”

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session where attendees had the chance to interact with the panelists, followed by closing remarks that encouraged further collaboration between African and global music industries.