Downtown Music Publishing Africa recently brought its music publishing and licensing expertise to Nairobi, Kenya, through an industry workshop focused on music rights, royalties and the commercial opportunities available to African music creators. The engagement forms part of the company’s continued commitment to building knowledge, strengthening industry connections and supporting a more informed African music ecosystem.
Understanding how music rights work is essential to building a sustainable career in the music industry. Yet, for many songwriters, composers and recording artists, navigating publishing agreements, royalty structures and licensing opportunities can be complex.
Addressing this knowledge gap was the focus of a music publishing and licensing workshop hosted by Downtown Music Publishing Africa (DMPA) in Nairobi on 30 October 2026.
Held at the Goethe-Institut as part of Industry Talks, a programme curated by Anyiko Owoko, the session brought together music creators and industry professionals for practical discussions on music rights, publishing administration, royalties and opportunities beyond streaming.
Representing DMPA were Managing Director Thando Makhunga and A&R Manager Kefiloe Molefe, who shared industry insights and practical examples to help participants better understand the business behind their music.
Understanding the Different Rights in Music
The workshop opened with Kefiloe Molefe breaking down the different categories of rights associated with music, including sound recordings, musical works and literary works.
She explored mechanical rights, performance rights and neighbouring rights, explaining how each applies to different forms of music usage and how these rights can generate income for creators and rights holders.
The discussion also highlighted the role of collective management organisations (CMOs) in administering certain music rights and collecting royalties on behalf of their members.
Drawing on examples from across the continent, Kefiloe referenced organisations such as South Africa’s Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO) and Zimbabwe’s Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), illustrating how music rights organisations operate within different African markets.
She also introduced participants to Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), demonstrating how licensing frameworks extend into sectors such as religious and institutional music usage.
To bring the conversation closer to the realities of the industry, she referenced artists within DMPA’s wider network, including Kenya’s Willy Paul and Fancy Fingers, South Africa’s Tyla and Nigeria’s Iyanya.
These examples demonstrated how music creators can work with publishing partners to manage their rights and access opportunities beyond their domestic markets.
Beyond Streaming: Understanding Music Licensing and Synchronisation
While streaming remains an important source of music consumption and revenue, the commercial value of a musical work extends far beyond digital platforms.
Thando Makhunga led the discussion on synchronisation licensing, commonly known as sync, explaining how music can be licensed for use in films, television productions, advertisements and other visual content.
Using Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot as an example, she demonstrated how synchronisation opportunities can create additional revenue streams for music rights holders when their work is licensed for commercial productions.
The session also explored sampling, remixing and interpolation, using Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind, which samples The Moments’ Love on a Two-Way Street, as an example.
The discussion illustrated how an existing musical composition can continue generating value when incorporated into new creative works, subject to the relevant permissions, rights clearances and agreements.
For songwriters and composers, this reinforces an important principle: a song’s commercial life does not end when it is released. With the right publishing administration and licensing arrangements, musical works can continue creating opportunities and generating income across generations.
Participants were also taken through examples of DMPA’s publishing agreements, offering insight into the contractual arrangements involved when working with a music publisher.
Addressing Kenya’s Music Rights and Licensing Landscape
The workshop also created space for important conversations about the realities of Kenya’s music industry.
Participants raised questions about the country’s collective management organizations, royalty collection and distribution processes, and where artists and music users can obtain the appropriate licenses.
Discussions included the role of the Performing and Audio Visual Rights Society of Kenya (PAVRISK), as well as the wider challenges surrounding collective management, regulatory developments and legal disputes affecting the sector.
Synchronisation licensing was another key area of interest, particularly how Kenyan artists can position their music for opportunities in film, advertising and other productions.
These conversations highlighted the importance of accessible industry education. Understanding that music rights exist is only the first step; creators also need practical knowledge of where their rights are managed, how to register their works and how to ensure they receive the royalties they are entitled to.
The interactive format allowed participants to engage directly with the speakers, raise concerns and explore practical scenarios relevant to their careers and the local music business.
Strengthening Music Industry Knowledge Across Africa
The Nairobi workshop reflects the importance of knowledge-sharing and collaboration in building a stronger African music industry.
As African music continues to reach international audiences, creators need access to the information, professional networks and industry services that enable them to participate meaningfully in the global music business.
Music publishing education plays an important role in this process. By helping creators understand copyright, ownership, licensing and royalty structures, industry engagements can contribute to more informed decision-making and stronger professional relationships.
For music businesses operating across multiple African territories, regional engagement also provides an opportunity to better understand local industry environments, connect with stakeholders and contribute to conversations about the development of music rights infrastructure.
At Downtown Music Publishing Africa, a Virgin Music Group company, we remain committed to supporting African music creators through publishing administration, sync licensing, neighbouring rights, royalty accounting, legal services and creative support.
Our work extends beyond managing music rights. It includes contributing to industry conversations, sharing knowledge and helping creators understand the commercial opportunities available to them.
The Nairobi engagement is another step in strengthening these connections and supporting a more informed, connected and commercially sustainable African music ecosystem.
When creators understand their rights, they are better equipped to protect their work, make informed business decisions and unlock the full value of their music.
