New Music Economy Development Initiative Portal Reveals Significant Growth Potential for Africa’s Music Industry
The African music industry continues to command global attention, with artists, songwriters, and creators shaping cultural movements and influencing audiences worldwide. Yet despite this growth, a significant portion of the value generated by African music remains unrealised.
A newly launched data platform from the Music Economy Development Initiative (MEDI) aims to change that.
On 4 June 2026, MEDI announced the completion of Phase 2 of its global data portal, described by the organisations behind it as the first platform to provide comprehensive music industry data across all 55 African countries. The initiative, led by the Center for Music Ecosystems (CME) and Global Citizen, provides critical insights into the economic potential of music markets across the continent and highlights opportunities for growth through stronger infrastructure, rights management, and regulatory development.
Uncovering Untapped Revenue Opportunities
One of the most significant findings from the latest analysis reveals that nearly USD 286 million in recorded music revenue remains uncollected across Nigeria and Kenya alone. The research points to underdeveloped infrastructure and gaps in regulatory frameworks as key barriers preventing creators and rights holders from fully benefiting from the value their work generates.
The findings arrive at a pivotal moment for the global music industry. While the worldwide recorded music market is currently valued at USD 47.5 billion, many countries still lack the foundational systems necessary to support sustainable music industry growth. According to MEDI, 46 countries around the world operate without effective copyright systems, while many others continue to face substantial enforcement challenges.
This places Africa in a unique position: one of the world’s largest untapped music market opportunities, while simultaneously being the region most in need of reliable data and actionable industry insights.
Data as a Catalyst for Growth
By mapping national music ecosystems and quantifying potential market value, MEDI seeks to provide governments, investors, rights organisations, publishers, and industry stakeholders with the information needed to make informed decisions.
The initiative demonstrates how targeted investment, stronger legal frameworks, effective rights management systems, and improved royalty collection can drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and contribute to broader development objectives.
As MEDI continues to evolve, future phases will introduce deeper regulatory and market intelligence, expanded country forecasts, and new investment-focused insights. Current efforts include a flagship market study in Côte d’Ivoire, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, as well as collaborations with international institutions exploring the development of a dedicated Music Impact Fund.
Why This Matters for African Creators
Music executive, entrepreneur, and founder of the CREAM Platform, D’Banj, emphasised the importance of data-driven industry development for African creators.
“African music is a global business now, but the business still isn’t African enough,” he said. “Too many of the artists building this movement still don’t see the revenue their work generates. MEDI matters because it puts numbers behind what every African creator already knows: the value is here; yet the system just isn’t catching it. If we want the next generation of African artists to build wealth, not just fame, this is the kind of data that has to lead the conversation.”
The findings reinforce a growing conversation across the continent about creator remuneration, transparency, and the importance of strengthening rights infrastructure to ensure music creators receive the compensation they have earned.
Strengthening Music Rights Management Across Africa
Commenting on the launch, Thando Makhunga, Managing Director of Downtown Music Publishing Africa, highlighted the significance of the initiative for the future of music rights management on the continent.
“This is a watershed moment for music rights management in Africa. The Music Economy Development Initiative doesn’t just measure Africa’s music economy; it exposes the gap between the value African creators generate and the value they receive. With this data, rightsholders, publishers, policymakers, and platforms now have actionable insights. The work ahead is ensuring royalties flow across borders and that creators receive the remuneration and respect they deserve.”
For publishers, collection societies, policymakers, and digital service providers, the data provides an important foundation for addressing inefficiencies and building stronger systems that support sustainable creator incomes.
Music as an Economic Development Driver
For Global Citizen, the initiative aligns with broader efforts to position music as a driver of economic opportunity and poverty reduction.
“MEDI is a part of our mission to help ensure that music is a key driver to eliminating extreme poverty worldwide,” said Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Policy Officer of Global Citizen. “What better industry to drive economic growth than one that is everywhere, accessible to anyone, and has the potential to create jobs anywhere? This data shows what is possible now, let alone what we should strive for in the future.”
Looking Ahead
MEDI’s growing coalition of partners includes IFPI, ICMP, IMPF, and a range of industry leaders across Africa and internationally. Since its launch at the Global Citizen NOW Action Summit in New York in April 2025, the initiative has sought to provide the data and insights necessary to support a more equitable and sustainable global music ecosystem.
As African music continues its ascent on the world stage, initiatives such as MEDI highlight the importance of building the infrastructure, rights frameworks, and investment opportunities needed to ensure that creators fully participate in the value they help generate.
For music publishers, songwriters, artists, and rights holders across the continent, the message is clear: Africa’s music economy holds immense potential, and unlocking that potential begins with data, transparency, and effective rights management.
