Beyond the Music: The Fight to Invest in African Creators

African music has captured the world’s attention, from the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats to the soulful melodies emerging from countries like South Africa and Tanzania. While the global appetite for this vibrant music is undeniable, a key challenge remains: ensuring the creators behind the hits are properly compensated. The recent partnership between pan-African music publisher Amelia Songs and global giant Kobalt Music Publishing shines a spotlight on this issue, offering a blueprint for a more equitable future.

The Challenge of a Fragmented Industry

The lack of robust infrastructure is a significant barrier for African songwriters and producers. Akinyemi Ayinoluwa, founder of Amelia Songs and managing partner at Hightower Solicitors & Advocates, points out that the continent’s 54 countries each have unique laws and music licensing regimes. This fragmentation makes it incredibly difficult to navigate the complexities of royalty collection and copyright protection. As Ayinoluwa explains, “While the lack of infrastructure is a major impediment, there are other reasons that account for the state of affairs.” He believes that a combination of technology, financial investment, and strategic collaborations can help build a unified licensing system that allows talent to prosper.

Building a Self-Sustained Ecosystem

The partnership with Kobalt gives Amelia Songs access to a sophisticated global network for royalty collection, sync licensing, and administration. This collaboration is a vital step toward creating a self-sustained local ecosystem where artists are paid for their work. Beyond this deal, Ayinoluwa is actively working to build this system from the ground up. His initiatives include launching a new mentorship program for young African lawyers and expanding a songwriters competition to new territories. He emphasizes his belief in the continent’s talent, stating, “I believe that the possibilities are endless. Africa has always been populated by very creative individuals.”

A Vision for the Future

In essence, the core message is clear: the raw creative talent is abundant, but the systems to support it are not yet fully in place. Ayinoluwa’s vision is not just about exporting African music, but also ensuring that “sizeable income should accrue from all the exploitation going on in the continent.” This perspective highlights a crucial shift from simply celebrating cultural output to building a sustainable and profitable creative economy. The goal is to move beyond short-term gains and establish a lasting framework that benefits all African creators. It’s an inspiring call to action, proving that with the right infrastructure, the sky is the limit for Africa’s music industry.